CSUSB and Students Receive State Award on Increasing Energy Efficiency Awareness

Flex Your Power, the state of California's program promoting energy efficiency, has awarded one of its Education & Leadership awards to Cal State San Bernardino's Green Campus Pilot Program.

Cal State San Bernardino was the only California State University campus to receive an award from the program for its program to promote energy awareness among the CSUSB students. As part of the Green Campus Pilot Program, students distributed compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and equipped dorm rooms with ENERGY STAR appliances to promote savings.

Tony Simpson, Cal State San Bernardino's director of facility services, praised the efforts of two CSUSB student interns, Felicity Blue and Lissette Gonzales, saying their hard work helped the university achieve the award and increase student awareness in energy awareness and conservation.

"Felicity and Lissette demonstrated how appliances have become more energy efficient and can save money," Simpson said. "We're proud of their hard work, especially in making our students aware that energy is a scarce commodity that must be used intelligently and efficiently."

The California State University Office of the Chancellor was also recognized by the state program, receiving one an energy efficiency awards for the system's cutting electrical and natural gas consumption at its 23 campuses in 2004-05. And starting in 2006, the system's new capital projects will be designed to out-perform California's tough energy standards by at least 15 percent.

From more than 250 applicants, 35 organizations were chosen for the Flex Your Power Awards for their outstanding achievements in energy efficiency in five categories.

Flex Your Power is California's statewide energy efficiency marketing and outreach campaign. Initiated in 2001, Flex Your Power is a partnership of California's utilities, residents, businesses, institutions, government agencies and nonprofit organizations working to save energy.