Green Digest

Colby Holds Water Rights Teach-In

Participants/Sponsors: Enviro-Co

On Feb. 9 the Colby Environmental Coalition hosted a Teach-In on water rights in Maine. This was part of the greater Take Back that Tap campaign that aims to reduce bottled water consumption on campus and educate the Colby community about the issues surrounding large scale water extraction.

Added on February 15, 2011

Turning Down the Heat

Over the holiday break, Colby lowered temperatures in most buildings by five degrees. Based on normal weather conditions Dec. 21 through Jan. 2, this saves more than $20,000 in fuel costs.

Added on December 29, 2010

EAG Forum Generates Suggestions

Participants/Sponsors: The Environmental Advisory Group

An Environmental Advisory Group forum Oct. 20, 2010, created a list of suggestions (66K PDF) addressing sustainability issues related to residential living, personal engagement, recycling, RESCUE, and dining. Faculty, staff, and students participated in the EAG forum.

Added on November 16, 2010

Braverman Blogs About Environmental Health

Participants/Sponsors: Blair Braverman '11

Environmental policy major and insideColby blogger Blair Braverman '11 is spending the summer as an intern and a blogger for the Environmental Health Strategy Center in Portland, Maine. Read her inaugural post at http://preventharm.org/News/blog/.

Added on June 1, 2010

Eco Reps

EnviroCo's new Eco Reps program is underway, and Eco Reps will be in Pulver Pavilion May 7 and 7 from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. with green tips, raffles, free stickers, and information about environmental programming and sustainable living.

Added on May 3, 2010

Demand Limiting Load Rolling Update

Physical Plant recently expanded the demand-limiting feature of our Building Automation System. You may notice a fan, air handler, or other HVAC components shutting off for up to 15 minutes per hour and then turning back on automatically. Safety or air quality will not be affected. Our goal is to reduce the campus electrical demand by 100 KWs per hour, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This will result in significant savings on our electric bill. We will be working the bugs out of the programming and equipment during spring 2010. Please bear with us. If you have any questions or concerns,  contact PPD at ext. 5000.

Added on March 31, 2010

Saving a Cool $20K

Participants/Sponsors: Environmental Advisory Group
Physical Plant Department
Employees and students wearing fleeces and sweaters

Once again Colby lowered temperatures in most buildings by five degrees over spring break in 2010 and expected to save $20,000 as a result.

Added on March 26, 2010

Methane Recapture

Colby's carbon emissions related to waste disposal were substantially reduced last fall when the landfill that accepts the College's solid waste started capturing methane gas and turning it into electricity.

Added on March 3, 2010

Sustainable in Central America

The Echo reports on students who did sustainability internships in Belize and Costa Rica.

Added on February 24, 2010

Saving Energy Over Winter Break

Participants/Sponsors: EnviroCo, PPD, EAG, and a wide range of employees.

Colby saved more than $25,000 over winter break this year by turning down building temperatures, shutting off equipment not in use, etc. Oil consumption was 17 percent and electricity use 13 percent lower than a baseline established two years ago, before such initiatives were started.

Added on February 1, 2010