Clarkson University was recently crowned with first place in the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute's "Greening Your Campus" student competition.

The Clarkson students' project was centered around dormitory motion sensor lighting, aiming to reduce lighting use in residence hall corridors by using motion sensors. The project estimated energy and cost savings to total close to $600,000 per year with a three- to five-year payback on the investment.

“We were very impressed with the enthusiasm of the students as they presented on their project concepts,” said Anahita Williamson, director of the Pollution Prevention Institute. “The competition was very close. All of the students did a great job of identifying and addressing issues of sustainability on their campus.”

The winning team was one of five competing from Clarkson University, with other teams addressing problems such as outdated and energy inefficient refrigerators in laboratories, installing water bottle refilling stations and initiating operation of a campus food waste digester.

The State University of New York-Buffalo was also recently recognized as the 14th largest green energy user among U.S. colleges, showing New York schools are doing their part in decreasing their carbon footprint.