Over the last five years, the cost of natural gas climbed 76 percent, far more than the U.S. Department of Energy had predicted. While the university anticipated a price increase and upped its energy budget to $43 million this fiscal year, we still expect an overrun of about 10 percent because fuel and electricity prices continue to surge upward.

We also have more buildings to power-and heat-than ever before. Between fiscal 2000 and fiscal 2005, we added several new facilities and increased square-footage by about 12 percent. Even without dramatic price increases, our energy costs would have raised. But combining inflation with greater demand has created a serious crunch on campus.

We've already undertaken some large-scale efforts to cut back on energy use, but we know we can do more with the help of the entire campus community. The little things each of you do every day to save electricity will add up for big results. Conserving energy is the right thing to do for campus and the environment.

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Thanks for helping us keep costs in check!