U.S. Green Building Council and Lucid to Launch Campus Conservation Nationals 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 18, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council, through its USGBC Students program, and Lucid, in partnership with the Alliance to Save Energy and the National Wildlife Federation are pleased to announce Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN) 2014. From February through April 2014, participating students will have the opportunity to compete to reduce electricity and water consumption in the largest conservation competition program for colleges and universities in the world. Program registration runs from Sept. 17 through Oct. 25, 2013, and is open to both two and four year institutions.
During the program’s Spring 2014 competition window, students will compete to reduce energy and water usage in campus buildings during their school’s three-week competition. Using Lucid’s Building Dashboard®, students will be able to instantly compare performance, track standings among schools and buildings, and share their successful strategies with other competitors.
“Campus Conservation Nationals provides an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to significantly affect occupant behavior on their campuses, impacting the community as a whole,” said Hannah Debelius, USGBC Students program manager at the Center for Green Schools at USGBC. “We are thrilled to continue the success of the previous three years and empower students to be leaders in a movement toward a more sustainable future.”
Last year, hundreds of thousands of CCN participants took personal steps to reduce the impact their campuses make on the environment, coming together to drive forward the sustainability movement and cultivate a broad culture of conservation. Participating buildings that reduced their electricity consumption saved 2,115,000 kWh of electricity — the equivalent of taking 187 U.S. homes off the grid for one year — and buildings that reduced water use saved 1,680,000 gallons, or more than 11,000 hours spent in the shower.
“Now in its fourth year, CCN is becoming a strong tradition on college and university campuses across North America,” said Chelsea Hodge, product engagement manager at Lucid. “The program is proof that when challenged to do so, students are able to significantly reduce their electricity and water use, and have a ton of fun in the process!”
Campus Conservation National gives students and staff an opportunity to create a real impact on their school’s carbon emissions while simultaneously elevating the importance of energy and water conservation within collegiate communities. Encouraged to brainstorm innovative strategies for reducing energy consumption and costs, students are provided valuable opportunities to educate themselves about successful conservation behaviors and the environmental and economic benefits attached to such practices. To learn more about the program, sign up to participate, or follow leading schools, visit www.CompeteToReduce.org.
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About the U.S. Green Building Council
USGBC is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org, explore the Green Building Information Gateway (GBIG) and connect on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About the Center for Green Schools
The Center for Green Schools at USGBC is making sure every student has the opportunity to attend a green school within this generation. From kindergarten to college and beyond, the Center works directly with staff, teachers, faculty, students, administrators, elected officials and communities to drive the transformation of all schools into sustainable places to live and learn, work and play. For more information, visit centerforgreenschools.org or find us on Twitter and Facebook.
About Lucid
Lucid is an industry leader and innovator in providing information feedback technology to save energy and water in buildings. The company pioneered the concept of real-time energy and water use feedback and reduction competitions with Building Dashboard and launched BuildingOS, the world’s first online operating system for buildings. Lucid’s software is used by the world’s leading companies and institutions to manage thousands of buildings with $500 million in annual energy bills. Based in Oakland, California, Lucid is a privately held software company.
About Alliance to Save Energy
Alliance to Save Energy is a non-profit coalition of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders who support energy efficiency as a cost-effective energy resource and advocate energy efficiency policies that minimize costs and lessen emissions. To carry out its mission, ASE undertakes research, educational programs, and policy advocacy; designs and implements energy-efficiency projects; promotes technology development and deployment; builds public-private partnerships; and initiates collaborative efforts and strategic alliances.
About National Wildlife Federation
National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest conservation organization. NWF works across the U.S. to protect and restore wildlife habitat, confront global warming and connect people with nature. NWF has a 20-year history of working with colleges and universities through its Campus Ecology program to improve their overall green educational programming and on-site sustainability. Its student outreach programs, campus consulting, technology competitions and educational events reach about 1,000 colleges each year.
Contact:
Mallory Shelter
Communications Specialist U.S. Green Building Council
