2019 Energy Challenge Gets Underway at Dickinson College
Designed and built by Tesla, Dickinson’s new 3-megawatt solar array will generate more than 5 million kilowatts of electricity, about 30 percent of Dickinson’s electricity needs.
Charging toward carbon neutrality this year’s theme
The 2019 Energy Challenge kicks off on March 25, and this year the name of the event says it all: “Charging Toward Carbon Neutrality.” The three-week event shines a bright light on Dickinson’s pledge to become carbon neutral by 2020, something that fewer than 10 American colleges and universities have done.
The 2018 challenge, Go All Out, yielded reductions of 14,246 kilowatt hours, resulting in 16,703 lbs. of carbon and $1,437 saved! This year’s efforts begin with the kickoff event, held Monday, March 25, in the HUB Social Hall, at 7 p.m. The challenge concludes with the finale bonfire on April 18, on Morgan Field, at 7:30 p.m.
This year’s effort will feature weekly themes to engage students, faculty, administrators, staff and alumni in energy conservation:
- Week 1 (March 25-April 1): Switch It Up
- Week 2 (April 2-8): Change Your Path
- Week 3 (April 9-15): Spring Into Action
The annual event raises awareness of energy-conservation issues while also putting them into practice across campus, encouraging everyone—faculty, staff and students—to take part. A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is a big part of Dickinson’s Climate Action Plan, and the Energy Challenge serves as a yearly reminder of how every Dickinsonian can play a part.
For students, a residence hall competition will see who can reduce energy consumption by the greatest percentage, and prizes will be awarded to the winning building.
You can follow along with real-time energy monitoring on the Dickinson Energy Dashboard. Follow the Center for Sustainability Education on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for live updates on the challenge, and participants can use #DsonSustainability to share how they're charging toward carbon neutrality!
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published March 21, 2019