PITTSBURG, KS.--- Michael Breneman is a conservation specialist with Energy Solutions Professionals. He's in charge of monitoring energy usage for Pittsburg State University buildings.
"I'll audit each facility at night, when no one is there, and I'll look for system that need to be shut off that may be running tonight," states Michael Breneman, Gorilla Challenge Organizer.
It everything from lights to TV's and anything in between. "Electrical systems like computers and computer labs, or coffee pots or refrigerators for that matter," says Breneman.
Since he started running the "Green Gorilla Challenge," he's noticed a big difference.
"There were some labs that we would find running unoccupied, with nobody in there, and if you look at this lab today, through education and changing people's behavior, it's all shut down," says Breneman.
5 academic buildings and 2 dorms are participating in the competition to see who can save the most energy in 7 weeks.
"Everybody seems pretty excited about the competition and I think excitement will grow as the competition goes on," says Breneman.
Breneman says he hopes the challenge has a lasting effect on faculty and students.
"The goal is to change peoples behavior in energy consumption. We should try to conserve as much energy as we can and only use as much as we need," states Breneman.
Each building is monitored once a week. The winning facility will be the one who sees the biggest drop in energy use from what they used last year. Campus dorms are also competing against other residence halls at Northwest Missouri State, Harvard and Cornell University.
"I'll audit each facility at night, when no one is there, and I'll look for system that need to be shut off that may be running tonight," states Michael Breneman, Gorilla Challenge Organizer.
It everything from lights to TV's and anything in between. "Electrical systems like computers and computer labs, or coffee pots or refrigerators for that matter," says Breneman.
Since he started running the "Green Gorilla Challenge," he's noticed a big difference.
"There were some labs that we would find running unoccupied, with nobody in there, and if you look at this lab today, through education and changing people's behavior, it's all shut down," says Breneman.
5 academic buildings and 2 dorms are participating in the competition to see who can save the most energy in 7 weeks.
"Everybody seems pretty excited about the competition and I think excitement will grow as the competition goes on," says Breneman.
Breneman says he hopes the challenge has a lasting effect on faculty and students.
"The goal is to change peoples behavior in energy consumption. We should try to conserve as much energy as we can and only use as much as we need," states Breneman.
Each building is monitored once a week. The winning facility will be the one who sees the biggest drop in energy use from what they used last year. Campus dorms are also competing against other residence halls at Northwest Missouri State, Harvard and Cornell University.
