Saving our Electricity

Dear Kerri,

I am writing today to inform you of an environmental issue that deeply concerns our college community today. Many Americans today tend to take many things for granted in our country, some more than others. Although many natural resources are taken advantage of intentionally, many people are ignorant to the fact that they are unnecessarily using these resources. The question posed is whether these uninformed citizens can be considered deliberate idlers due to the fact that they show no concern towards the issue. Researching, in my opinion, is the first step towards becoming aware of any specific issue. One can’t always depend on the preset views that others have already created, but with factual data one is able to extract his/her own conclusions. It may not be apparent to Washington and Jefferson College students at first, but it takes an immense amount of electricity to keep the campus operating. From heating, cooling, and lighting all of the dorms, classrooms, buildings, and various houses present on campus to powering all of the computers, televisions, and kitchen facilities, electricity is a top priority in keeping any business stabilized. Washington and Jefferson students are aware of the soaring numbers on their tuition bills, but they are typically not familiar with the amount of that which goes towards the college electricity bill. I believe that with a little information and persuasion from those who support our college community, we can be one step closer to a more ecologically-friendly region. Without accurate and relevant information on electricity and how it affects our lives, the Washington and Jefferson College community will never be able to see any type of reform.

First, let me share with you some interesting facts about electricity and how it functions throughout our college atmosphere. You, along with several others, may not be conscious of the fact that electricity is only a secondary source. It is formed by a combination of natural resources such as coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear power (“Electricity”). These resources are renewable, unlike the electricity that is created and exploited (“Electricity”). I am sure you are familiar with atoms, being that they contain electrons which develop the electrical charges that are constructed into our power. Just as atoms have been the building blocks of everything in our world, “electricity has been moving in the world forever (“Electricity”).” From Benjamin Franklin’s kite experiment to the invention of the light bulb by Edison, scientists have begun to better understand the concepts of electricity. After several years of research and development, electricity has become one of our most widely used energy sources and is considered a necessity in our daily lives. This necessity is used much more than it is actually needed though. Many people, including myself, tend to forget that electricity is being utilized even when no one is personally handling the product. Although it may not be visible to the human eye, electricity also causes pollution. One cannot see this pollution from their homes, but it is perceptible at the power plant in which it is created (“Saving Electricity.”) With this resource being such an essential part of our lives, it is often times hard to imagine a life without electricity.

Unlike many other natural resources, electricity is able to be controlled. I believe that with more information available on this issue to students and faculty throughout our college campus, we will be able to greatly reduce the amount of electricity used. It is our job to communicate to the public the various ways of accomplishing this goal. The most appealing way to convey this subject may be to provide statistics on what saving electricity would do for our school community. As we both know, the tuition for Washington and Jefferson is quite costly. Lowering the costs of operating the college may provide for reduced prices of incoming students. With decreased costs for electric bills, the college would have the possibility to provide more financial aid or even lower the cost of tuition as a whole. Most students are not aware that electricity is accounted for by kilowatt hours (“Saving Electricity”). When something is plugged into the wall, even if it is not turned on, it consumes kilowatt hours. Because dorm rooms are typically quite small, there are usually not enough outlets for everything that needs to be plugged in. This results in the use of power strips, which are very common in most homes near computers. These power strips already lower the amount of electricity used, but they still exert power while being plugged into the wall. Most college students, like myself, do not spend the majority of their time in their own rooms. This allows for a lot of unnecessary usage of energy from things that do not need to be plugged in at all times. Computers, cell phone chargers, hair flatirons, and desk lamps are just a few common items that could be taken out of the wall after use. A study completed using the standard cost calculator for electricity allows for one to see the actual difference in costs when items are unplugged compared to when they are left in the outlets (“Saving Electricity”). They used a high-end computer that was plugged in twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and weighed its cost against the same computer that was plugged in only two hours a day, five days a week. The prices were drastically different, leaving the final result around $405 at the everyday rate per year to only $5.50 per year when the device was unplugged (“Saving Electricity”). If these types of statistics were publicized throughout the campus in the most popular areas, such as the commons and the library, these extreme differences may persuade individuals to begin to care more about their electricity usage. Once the initial concern is established, the worry towards these issues will broaden being that they personally affect each and every one of our lives.


Overall, I believe that with involvement from one of our school community leaders, such as you, along with provided statistics and severe realizations, Washington and Jefferson College will be on its way towards a healthy living environment. Please take into consideration the facts that I have presented in this letter when you decide on the upcoming issues for the Red and Black. I ask that you set aside a column in your newspaper concerning this specific issue because I honestly believe students will be amazed and in turn, gain a new perspective on this every day necessity: electricity. Sincerely,
Caitlin King




Works Cited:

“Electricity- A Secondary Energy Source.” Energy Kid’s Page. 2007. 16 November 2008 http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/electricity.html.

“Saving Electricity.” Michael Bluejay, Inc. 16 November 2008 http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/computers.html.