Regardless of anyone’s thoughts about the artistic qualities of the recent installation, this show should also draw attention to an oft-unnoticed topic at RPI: energy usage. This isn’t the first time, though, that the building, which runs an electric bill of about $11,000 a month, has been so well lit. Over the course of the construction—particularly in recent months—the internal lights strung from scaffolding have remained on through the nights and weekends even when no one is there. According to Oleh Turczak, EMPAC’s project manager, the lights cannot be dimmed or only half-lit because they are daisy-chained together and can only be on or off. Some lighting is necessary for security reasons, but it seems ridiculous to think that everything must be on when no one is using it.

EMPAC is currently vying for a silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its environmentally-sustainable structure. The certification will recognize the overall design of the building as well its energy efficiency. While the construction lighting won’t play a factor in whether or not the building gets that certification, it seems very contrary to be inefficient even in this stage.

Even though we may be able to see the energy usage of EMPAC in a more positive light, in the future, for now it should serve to remind us that there are many features on campus that aren’t so environmentally-friendly. With our rising energy demands, it would certainly be sensible to take a good look at where we can save a little, including lighting, heat, and deciding when to turn off certain appliances.

In the end, it’s in everybody’s best interest to lower the Institute’s energy bill energy bill. Tuition dollars pay for it, after all.