In the wake of the state's energy crisis, California State University Chancellor Charles B. Reed updated the CSU Trustees today (Jan. 24) on energy conservation programs at the CSU and recent initiatives in response to the current crisis.

"Long before the current energy crisis, the California State University had a history of taking great efforts to minimize energy use and implement conservation programs," said Chancellor Reed. "Now it is even more important to maintain and expand those programs and seek new ways to save energy."

The CSU, which has 370,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff on 23 campuses and five off campus centers throughout the state, has a $50 million annual electric bill and a 600 million kilowatt-per-hour annual consumption. Over the past 20 years, the CSU has implemented energy saving programs that have saved a cumulative 123 million kilowatt hours beyond minimum state code requirements.

In addition to those programs, the CSU has taken several recent steps to respond to the energy crisis. They include the following:

• The chancellor recently requested that all campuses reduce consumption by following the state's basic energy conservation guidelines, such as setting thermostats to 68 degrees.
• The CSU has received $7.6 million from the legislature and the Public Utilities Commission to implement energy savings projects that will save 8.3 megawatts by summer 2001.
• The CSU has submitted a list of an additional $184.7 million in distributed generation and demand reduction projects that could save 93 megawatts by summer 2002. Much of the savings from these projects would be permanent.
• The CSU has been actively participating in shedding loads of energy during electrical emergencies in response to the Governor's directive, and the CSU will continue to do so.

In addition, several ongoing programs are saving the CSU millions of dollars in energy costs.

• Since 1979 the CSU systemwide energy conservation program has sought funding to improve energy conservation projects and include energy efficient equipment in capital improvement projects.
• Over the years, CSU campuses have implemented numerous energy saving efforts such as installation of energy management systems, lighting and mechanical improvements, energy efficient roofs, heating and air conditioning upgrades, and cogeneration.
• Two years ago, the CSU and the University of California launched a four-year agreement with Enron Energy Services, through which Enron became the sole provider of electricity for most of the CSU and UC campuses. In return the CSU and UC have benefited from a reduced and fixed rate that so far has saved the CSU an estimated total of about $6.3 million.