STORRS, Conn. (AP) - The University of Connecticut is injecting friendly competition into its energy-saving efforts at college dorms.
Its conservation contests have become so popular that water use at some dorms has dropped 10 percent or more.
Residents of the winning dorms get prizes: a certificate for carbon offsets - which pay for reducing greenhouse gas emissions elsewhere - and an ice cream party.
In the most recent competition, every participating dorm cut electricity use by 2.3 percent to 28.3 percent.
Students who serve as ``eco-captains'' for their dorms say people are remembering to turn off lights, monitor their faucets for leaks and have even scheduled ``shower-free days.''
High energy prices and environmental concerns prompted UConn to sponsor the contests, which started in 2006.
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