Throughout the past few weeks, temperatures in the Pittsburgh region have climbed over the 90 degree mark, leading many Pittsburgh school districts to dismiss students early. But despite the rising heat, Pitt announced a classroom temperature increase on Aug. 29 as a part of sustainability efforts on campus — thermostats going up and fans slowing down.
Here's a cool fact for a hot day: Today Pitt is turning up the thermostats 4 degrees & slowing down fans in many buildings to conserve energy. That's the same as unplugging the Cathedral and Benedum Hall! #H2P @SustainablePitt #H2P @SustainablePitt pic.twitter.com/1nUbhw0HFW
— University of Pittsburgh (@PittTweet) August 29, 2018
The University didn’t come to the decision on its own. In an email to faculty and staff, the Facilities Management Division of the University cited Pennsylvania Act 129, which demands a response notification from their electricity supplier as the reason behind cutting back on electric usage. The act, signed into law in October 2008 by former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, is meant to reduce energy consumption and demand by establishing requirements for the state’s seven largest electric distribution companies.
Facilities Management will also decrease air conditioning in most Pitt buildings to increase the stability of electric grids, according to the email.
The temperature spike may have permanently damaged our $1M instrument. Some experiments funded by the university or tax payers' money have been ruined. Lots of energy to be consumed to restore these soon. My students are exposed to higher vapor pressure of volatile chemicals.
— Koide Group (@KazunoriKoide) August 29, 2018
“In most cases, the changes will be minimal and may not be apparent to building occupants. Critical research areas will not be affected. As always, we encourage students, faculty, and staff to assist with reducing electrical usage by turning off unnecessary lighting and electronics when not in use,” the email said.
Though the statement said changes would be minimal, students and faculty have taken notice to increased temperatures. Chemistry professor Dr. Kazunori Koide took to Twitter to express his frustrations, claiming damage to expensive equipment and compromised safety for students in chemistry labs.
Pitt did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
In the University of Pittsburgh Reddit thread r/Pitt, students speculated the cutbacks could be attributed to Duquesne Light struggling to keep up with demand in the recent high temperatures.
Duquesne Light declined to comment.
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