Costs fuel interest in campus conservation
The recent rise in energy costs is forcing the university to take a deeper look at ways to educate students about conservation techniques.And the recent gloomy weather, bringing chilly evening temperatures, is helping out in the meantime.Fifty degrees is no air conditioning, no heating, said Robert Ellerhorst, director of utilities for MSU.If you want to be energy-conscious, that is like perfect weather.In recent months, prices of fossil fuels have risen and coal consumption has increased because coal power stations have been used in place of the gas-fired units that cost more.And while MSU is always concerned about conservation, inflated costs are becoming an increasingly important issue.The university is always interested in trying to do conservation - that is not new, Ellerhorst said.