ESC 1
Club & Greek

You Can Never Have Too Much Energy

Spotlight on Monmouth University Energy Service Corps


ESC 1“The Energy Service Corps is a joint partner of New Jersey Public Interest Research Group and AmeriCorps,” said Tom McKeon, Monmouth University Energy Service Corps Organizer.  

“AmeriCorps is like the domestic peace corps and NJPIRG finds issues which concern the public such as hunger, homelessness, textbook rip-offs, sustainable university, etc,” said McKeon.

According to McKeon, energy efficiency also falls into a category that concerns the public. The United States is currently using energy at an unsustainable rate, which means they are using energy quicker than the energy can be made. “Currently 80 percent of our energy comes from dirty sources such as coal, gas, and oil which not only pollute our environment but costs more and more each year,” said McKeon.

McKeon’s role in the Energy Service Corps is to create connections for students so they can develop leadership skills and successful work on the campaigns.

There are other organizers working with students on college campuses in California, Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Colorado. The New Jersey colleges involved with the ESC are Princeton University, Rutgers University, Stockton College and MU.

“What makes Energy Service Corps so unique is that it’s a state-wide student directed and student funded organization working on real social issues,” said McKeon.

Organizing projects like home weatherization’s, K-12 education, and community outreach/service accomplishes this.

Weatherization is the process of sealing and insulating your home to help save energy. Simple things like checking the temperature of the refrigerator and hot water heater are simple tasks to help weatherize the home. “It’s easy to talk about problems, but it’s different to actually come up with solutions,” said McKeon.

“K-12 consists of going to local schools, boys and girls clubs, youth centers, etc. to teach about energy efficiency,” said McKeon.

Community outreach educates anyone over 18-years-old about energy efficiency and organizes projects such as CFL distributions and tree plantings.

“The Energy Service Corps strives to educate students and the surrounding community about conserving energy and how it is important to your development,” explained Rachel Fisher, sophomore and intern in charge of the public relations for the Energy Service Corps at Monmouth University.

“I got involved with ESC through filling out an interest card,” said Fischer. “I also heard a lot about it when members came to my classes and spoke about the goals and the main mission of what the ESC does.”

ESC 2“The ESC is super excited about the upcoming kick off meeting which will be held on Wednesday, February 8 in the Club Dining Rooms,” said Fisher. The ESC is currently planning a Tree Identification week where all the trees on campus are labeled with both their common and scientific names. “Other projects are still in the works but they are sure to be exciting all while providing tips on how to be energy efficient,” said Fisher.

“Monmouth is a premier school of going green!” said McKeon. “Last semester, NJ ESC weatherized 70 buildings, 44 of which were done by Monmouth students.”

“The ESC is the only on campus organization which can fulfill the experiential education requirement,” said McKeon. “Internships are a great way to boost a resume, develop leadership skills, and actually make changes within the community.”

“The best way for students to get involved with the Energy Service Corps is to attend our kick-off meeting on Wednesday, February 8 at 2:45 in McGill Commons, Club Room 109,” said McKeon.

“There we’ll launch the semester by highlighting last semester’s successes and introduce this semesters goals.” Surf Taco and pizza will be offered to all who attend.

PHOTO COURTESY of Tom McKeon