Rutgers University has kicked off a program to install several energy conservation programs and has created an Energy Conservation Office to oversee the effort. "We have a responsibility as a public university to reduce energy usage, especially those uses that rely on fossil fuels, and to be efficient in our use of money," says university president Richard McCormick.

McCormick recently outlined several initiatives and estimated savings. They include a five-year program to retrofit lighting fixtures at over 600 buildings at the New Brunswick campuses. The project will cost $19 million and save upwards of $5 million a year in energy costs, tied to a usage reduction of some 42 million KWH a year.

University officials will also replace underground hot water pipes on the Busch and Livingston campuses, an $8 million program that will save $2 million a year in fuel costs. Another plan is to use alternative fuels like a bio-diesel blend for campus vehicles.