WKU takes a major step toward reducing energy consumption on its campus and gains the support of Kentucky's governor while doing it.

It's all in an effort to make WKU more sustainable and members of one "green" group are behind it.

"Dr. Ransdell and WKU are showing great leadership here today, by adopting an energy policy focused on conservation and efficiency," explained Gov. Steve Beshear.

Personal responsibility and common sense.

Those are words Governor Beshear used today to describe the actions students and faculty would need to take to make WKU's new energy policy successful.

"A few bullet points stood out," Beshear said. "Be proactive. Never assume that someone will take these steps for you."

"When the students hear about ways they could help reduce energy or what reducing energy helps do to the campus, a lot of them are very interested in helping," explained Seth Cude, a member of "Greentoppers."

Cude and his group spend their time spreading the word of how to make Western a more sustainable campus, and he says WKU's new policy is just another step toward that.

"If the governor and top officials of Kentucky are interested in being more sustainable and reducing energy, then it's a lot easier for the administration to jump on board and for faculty staff and students to see the importance of it," Cude said.

Cude says recycling and bike-to-campus programs efforted by the Greentoppers are already gaining popularity, and Western's energy policy will continue to make a positive impact across campus.

"The students already show their support with their actions and this is only going to bolster the support for that," Cude said.

The full policy can be
found here.