Rutgers University has kicked off a program to install severalenergy conservation programs and has created an Energy ConservationOffice to oversee the effort. "We have a responsibility as a publicuniversity to reduce energy usage, especially those uses that relyon fossil fuels, and to be efficient in our use of money," saysuniversity president Richard McCormick.

McCormick recently outlined several initiatives and estimatedsavings. They include a five-year program to retrofit lightingfixtures at over 600 buildings at the New Brunswick campuses. Theproject will cost $19 million and save upwards of $5 million a yearin energy costs, tied to a usage reduction of some 42 million KWH ayear.

University officials will also replace underground hot waterpipes on the Busch and Livingston campuses, an $8 million programthat will save $2 million a year in fuel costs. Another plan is touse alternative fuels like a bio-diesel blend for campusvehicles.