Press Release of Senator Lugar Lugar Names GreeND as Energy Patriot Wednesday, October 8, 2008 U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar today will award GreeND, a student group at the University of Notre Dame, a Lugar Energy Patriot during a speech on campus.    “Solving our energy crisis for future generations requires a nation of leaders – leaders in government, industry, science and leaders in our great universities. I am honored to recognize the achievements of GreeND at Notre Dame,” Lugar said.   “What started as a group of about 10 students has developed into a solid interest base of 150 students and over 800 subscriptions to our email publication,” said Lourdes Long, president and co-founder of GreeND.    GreeND’s collaboration with administration, faculty and students has led to many successes in the past year. GreeND founders wanted to think big, and nothing is bigger than Notre Dame Football. They began a recycling program at Fighting Irish football games that has now been adopted by the Notre Dame Administration. In just a single game GreeND collected more than 16 tons of recyclables, which otherwise would have ended up in a landfill.   The Energy Patriot award is part of an ongoing effort by Lugar to recognize professionals, scholars, students or businesses that demonstrate leadership and initiative in taking concrete action to reduce America’s dependence on foreign energy sources.    An editorial profile of GreeND is below and may be published in its entirety. Additional information and photographs are available at: http://www.lugar.senate.gov/energy/links/patriot/.   For more than a decade, Lugar has stressed the strategic importance of energy security and the economic and security risks of dependence on oil. His legislative efforts promote sustainable energy production and use, incentives for renewable fuels like cellulosic ethanol and E85, increased fuel economy in cars and clean coal. The Lugar Energy Initiative at http://lugar.senate.gov/energy highlights the repercussions of America's dangerous dependence on imported oil and provides information on energy legislation introduced by Lugar, commentary by outside experts and information on alternative and renewable energy sources.    Profile of a Patriot   Through the Energy Patriot, Senator Lugar profiles a student, professional, scholar, or business that has demonstrated leadership and initiative in taking concrete action to improve America's energy security.   Students at Notre Dame know they can make a difference in safeguarding the environment and improving our energy security.   “Solving our energy crisis for future generations requires a nation of leaders – leaders in government, industry, science and leaders in our great universities. I am honored to recognize the achievements of this group of leaders at Notre Dame,” Lugar said.   The University of Notre Dame is known for its academic excellence and has been on the cutting edge of energy conservation and research in Indiana. A group of students expanded on this tradition of excellence by starting a new initiative, GreeND. With a close eye on energy conservation and environmental awareness, Senator Lugar is pleased to name GreeND as the October 2008 Lugar Energy Patriot.     “What started as a group of about 10 students has developed into a solid interest base of 150 students and over 800 subscriptions to our email publication,” said Lourdes Long, president and co-founder of GreeND.    Securing America’s energy future requires all of us to do our part as individuals and as communities. GreeND’s collaboration with administration, faculty and students has led to many successes in the past year. GreeND founders wanted to think big, and nothing is bigger than Notre Dame Football. They began a recycling program at Fighting Irish football games that has now been adopted by the Notre Dame Administration. In just a single game GreeND collected more than 16 tons of recyclables, which otherwise would have ended up in a landfill.      Building on the progress made through the recycling program and looking to have a more daily impact, 25 of the 27 dorms have “sustainability commissioners” who have a strong interest in energy and encourage students within each building to live a more sustainable and environmentally friendly life.    “Energy issues are so critical. It’s not just for people who are most passionate about it. Ensuring each dorm has a sustainability commissioner is another way we are reaching out to students to show how comfortable a sustainable lifestyle can be,” Long continued.   “One evening, we gave the commissioners 1,400 new energy-efficient light bulbs to distribute to students and an hour later they returned with 1,400 old bulbs. We could not be happier with their success.” Others events hosted by sustainability commissioners include a dorm energy contest and “Recycle Mania.”   Leadership opportunities and development are another way GreeND is touching the lives of students at Notre Dame.    “Leading GreeND has really taught me to work with a diverse group,” said Colleen Kelly, vice president and co-founder. “I am learning everything from meeting facilitation to collaboration to accountability and delegation from this experience. Learning life lessons like these is what makes this so wonderful,” said Kelly.   When asked about the future plans of GreeND they replied: “This is only the beginning.”    Senator Lugar agrees. That is why we congratulate GreeND on being a Lugar Energy Patriot.   ###