KU News Release

LAWRENCE — A senior at the University of Kansas spent the summer helping Kansas businesses improve their corporate sustainability by reducing waste, saving money and protecting the state’s environment.

KU chemistry major Creighton S. Miller, of Willoughby, Ohio, was one of 10 interns participating in the Kansas State University Pollution Prevention Institute Intern Program. Miller conducted brief energy efficiency and water conservation assessments at 13 facilities in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area and identified potential estimated savings of 1 million kilowatt hours, 8 million gallons of water and $144,000 in operating costs.

Miller is the son of Kristi Miller, of Willoughby, Ohio. He is a Willoughby South High School graduate.

Institute officials estimate that the 2010 interns collectively identified savings of more than the equivalent of 18.2 million kilowatt hours of electricity, 18 million gallons of water, 257 tons of solid waste and $740,000 in operating and disposal costs for Kansas business and industry.

Miller is the fourth KU student to participate in the institute’s intern program, which links top-level engineering and environmental sciences students with host companies to research projects that reduce industrial emissions and wastes and conserve natural resources.

Charged with developing effective waste-reducing solutions, the interns’ work helps the companies reduce operating costs, regulatory compliance burdens and their environmental footprints. The students work with a technical adviser from the Pollution Prevention Institute as well as personnel from their host company to identify appropriate projects. Most positions pay $15 an hour.

Students enrolled in an accredited engineering or science program at a college or university in Kansas and who have at least a junior standing by the start of summer 2011 are eligible for an internship. The 2011 program will also include positions that work with the health care and lodging industries.