Lights Out! Power Down! on Jun. 27

Mason's Office of Energy Management encourages the Fairfax Campus to participate in “Lights Out! Power Down!” on Thursday, June 27, from 2 to 3 p.m.

Participants are asked to turn off or unplug all non-critical lighting and electrical loads prior to and during the one-hour event to kick-off the university’s summer electrical demand management program. 

As a large consumer of electricity, Mason has enrolled in “Interruptible Load Reliability” (ILR), a demand response program that pays customers in exchange for a commitment to reduce electrical load in the event of an electrical grid emergency condition that could result in outages.

Mason has participated in the program for the past five years and has received $600,000 to date. Mason’s commitment this year is a 4,000 kilowatt reduction.

What can we do to save energy? Turn off or unplug the following, when not in use:

  • Lights (office, common area, and hallway)
  • Personal computers/accessories
  • Shared electronics (televisions, projectors, copiers/printers, etc.)
  • Appliances (coffee makers, refrigerators, washers/dryers, etc.) 
  • Laboratory equipment 

For questions, contact Patrick Buchanan, Facilities Management Operations, at 703-993-2657 or pbuchan2@gmu.edu.