Due to a continuing reduction in local energy costs, the recent energy surcharge fee charged to Nicholls students will no longer be required. The fee discontinuation, which will be effective this summer, is the result of reduced local electrical and natural gas rates.

“Because of the recent decline in utility costs, we feel that the energy surcharge is no longer necessary,” Michael Naquin, assistant vice president of business affairs and financial services, said.

Naquin did say that because the rates could change anytime without much notice, he does not know for sure if there will ever be another surcharge fee.

In an earlier release, Michael Delaune, director of University Relations, said a reduction or discontinuation of the fee is most beneficial to students.

“The University always looks for ways to help students save money, we know college life can be tough financially,” he said.

Joshua Manning, an English sophomore from Houma, said he agrees with Delaune.

“I think it’s great that we can save a few dollars because of the discontinuation of the fee. Now I can buy an extra Coke or something,” he said.

This semester, the surcharge fee was reduced from $3 per credit hour to $1 per credit hour, capped at 12 hours, when local energy rates began decreasing.

The original $3 per credit hour fee was added to each Louisiana university by the Louisiana Board of Regents for higher education as a result of energy costs drastically rising last summer.

The original rate was based on the results of a Board of Regents’ 1999-2000 energy cost report. The report stated that a surcharge fee could only be increased or decreased according to local energy rates, not the amount of energy the university uses. “The fee can only be used according to utility costs. In other words, it can only be changed according to use of kilowatts per hour,” Naquin said.

The Board of Regents requires each university to submit a quarterly report regarding utility and energy costs of their school. Each university is also required to report the spending trends of their school.

Although the energy rates were the reason for the discontinuation and earlier reduction of the fee, conservation efforts have been made as well.

Earlier this semester, Delaune said a local Board of Regents member came to Nicholls to give conservation ideas.

William Clifford Smith, a member of the Entergy Electric board, showed new ways to conserve energy by turning lights off and adjusting heating and cooling in the classrooms.

“We will always take measures to conserve energy here at Nicholls,” Naquin said.

A new conservation project has included the usage of different types of lights. New light bulbs are being implanted around campus. These lights are designed to use less energy, but are brighter than the average light.