Hybrid cars and paperless offices may be the vision of the University’s future. Gov. Bobby Jindal released an executive order this past month to make the Louisiana government more environmentally friendly. As a public institution, the University is considered a state agency. Under Jindal’s order, state agencies will meet new energy efficiency goals and establish programs for energy analysis of facilities. State agencies will be required to review purchasing practices of items such as appliances, light bulbs, chargers and computers. The Jindal administration will require automobile fleets to develop average fuel economy goals and offices to adopt a paperless office program to reduce solid waste. LSU’s Environmental Conservation Organization has been working to get the University involved in a plan similar to Jindal’s. The Presidential Climate Commitment is a nationwide sustainability agreement started by a team of college presidents and chancellors. The plan requires participating universities to complete two of 10 suggested projects to improve campus impact on the environment. More than 400 universities are already participating. The goal of the program is to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Lauren Stuart, ECO president, said former Chancellor Sean O’Keefe planned to sign the agreement, but with his departure LSU System President John Lombardi asked the group to submit a formal proposal at the LSU Board of Supervisors meetings in March. The University may qualify for the Commitment’s renewable energy and transportation projects. Stuart said the University is already making progress toward using renewable energy by using a steam generator plant to produce a portion of the University’s electricity. With the creation of Easy Streets and the closure of central campus roads, the University encourages alternative transportation on campus, Stuart said. “Putting out this resolution may convince everyone that reducing environmental impact is important, but it’s still up to us to make a plan of action,” she said. Stuart said the commitment and Jindal’s order do not necessarily overlap but have the same focus. “It’s necessary for LSU to develop an individualized plan that minimizes our campus waste and optimizes efficiency,” Stuart said. Michael Hooks, assistant director for Occupational and Environmental Safety, said his office has been looking into moving to alternative fuels for its vehicles since before the governor’s order. The department would like to use biodiesel for its diesel vehicles and purchase hybrids in place of other automobiles. Hooks said his department has been discussing the switch with other University departments. Hooks said funding may affect how environmentally friendly the department can become. “I would hope that if [Jindal] gave an executive order then we could request funding to implement some of these programs,” he said. He said his department supports the governor’s order and already participates in recycling programs for hazardous wastes such as oil, fluorescent light bulbs and batteries. Hooks said because the order is relatively new, his department has not yet planned new programs. Hooks said the University has been working on a green campus initiative with a long-range plan. Hooks said there are benefits other than protecting the environment, including tax breaks and savings on efficiency. One of the University’s newest facility additions follows Jindal’s vision. The 459 Commons, the east campus dining hall, has fluorescent lights that adjust based on sunlight. Its dishwasher uses 40 percent less water and soap than those in older dining halls. The dining hall uses smaller plates to reduce food waste and water use. “The $8 million renovation project has made an old building energy-efficient,” said a news release from University Dining.
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