FOXe Report: Green Universities

Some of the area's institutions of higher learning are being recognized for their eco-conscious efforts and the University of Texas is involved in a huge campaign to replace and recycle lights across its campus.

"They're literally sending all their lamps to us," UT Energy Manager Al Lewandowski said. "They can't get them to us fast enough."

UT is installing thousands of energy efficient lights and expects to trim electric costs to the tune of almost two million dollars.

"We've got five crews out here doing this every day," Lewandowski said.

The 23,000 new lights installed in the library alone could save the campus almost $100,000.

"It reduces indirectly our air conditioning cost because lighting, for example, in this case, actually generates heat," Lewandowski said. "Heat means more air conditioning so that's a by-product we're actually saving across the whole thing."

UT is removing around two-thousand old-style lamps every day. By the end of the year they'll have removed about 500,000 lamps. They're also removing other less energy-efficient objects and recycling everything.

You'll also see new sensor-triggered light systems in many campus buildings. The lights go "on" and "off" whenever someone enters or exits a room.

UT crews are also installing new toilets across campus as well as aerators on faucets.

"That's gonna save about 70 million gallons a year," Lewandowski said.

Huston-Tillotson University students and faculty are being recognized by the National Wildlife Federation for recycling.

"The honor tells us, of course, that we're good neighbors," director of communication and marketing Linda Jackson said.

Huston-Tillotson also plans to plant more trees and reduce energy usage.

"There's always the plan to be greener," Jackson said.

Meantime, Concordia University was also honored by the National Wildlife Federation for its dedication to renewable energy.