Harvard buildings win wind energy in challenge

Fifteen Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and Longwood buildings will win renewable energy in the 2004 Go Cold Turkey Energy Conservation Challenge. The wind energy certificates purchased for these buildings will move Harvard from third to second place in terms of green power purchased by American institutes of higher education, according to the records of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership.

“The results are astounding,” said Jessica Woolliams, one of the Go Cold Turkey organizers and manager of the Longwood Computer Energy Reduction Program. “Thousands of people have pledged to be energy conscious for the next year, and using the predicted energy savings has allowed us to bring Harvard up to being the number two higher-ed purchaser of renewable energy in the country. Thanks to everyone who participated in this competition.”

Go Cold Turkey challenged individuals in the FAS and Longwood communities to take an online energy conservation pledge. Buildings with 50 percent or greater participation will be awarded wind energy certificates to offset the environmental impacts of a portion of their electricity use next year. The certificates will be paid for by the energy bill savings that result when students and employees conserve energy.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the 3.6 million kWh of wind certificates that will be purchased for Go Cold Turkey participants represent the prevention of almost 5 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. This amount is equivalent to planting 671 acres of trees or taking 434 cars off the road for an entire year.