Oakton College's "Green" Committee Takes Environmentally-Friendly Actions

Oakton Community College's "Green Committee,'' created in the fall of 2007, has already had a positive impact on the campus environment. "The entire college is thinking green," Carl Costanza, director of campus facilities and operations, told the Pioneer Local.

Already the college:

* Is purchasing 10 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources.

* Has joined the "Energy Star" program, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, which helps individuals and businesses save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. Oakland is just one of seven colleges to do so.

* Installed permeable pavers on campus to decrease storm water runoff.

* Purchased a flex-fuel courier van that runs on gas or E85 ethanol.

* Runs a camps shuttle serving 65-70 students each week.

Costanza reports that the college is now hoping to locate grant money to fund the installation of a solar hot water system.

For more information, contact:

Carl Costanza, Executive Director

Campus Facilities and Operations

Interim VP for Business and Finance

Phone: 847.635.1784; Fax: 847.635.1764.

Email: costanza@oakton.edu

Website: http://www.oakton.edu/