Union College to Break Ground for Energy Conservation Project

Union College will host a groundbreaking celebration later this week to begin a project which will significantly improve campus facilities while reducing energy and operational costs.

Trustees and friends of Union College will gather at 9 a.m. Friday on the lawn adjacent to the Conway Boatman Chapel and Fine Arts building, where drilling will begin for this $4.2 million facility improvement project. In the event of rain, the ceremony will take place in the lobby area of Robsion Arena.

According to Union College President Edward D. de Rosset, energy and operational savings will help finance the improvements at Union over time. “For the projected life of the project, cumulative project savings are projected to recover 67% of the cumulative project costs,” de Rosset said.

This “paid from savings” approach, coupled with investment dollars from existing college budgets, creates a low risk program that is financially guaranteed to perform and allows Union to obtain needed facility renovations quickly and effectively.

The project, which is slated for completion within 12 months, is being implemented through a program developed by Energy Systems Group, an award-winning energy solutions and performance contracting company whose list of satisfied clients include organizations in Kentucky, the mid-west and the southern United States.

ESG is partnering strategically with our college to deliver a solution that helps us provide the type of facilities conducive to a positive learning and working environment while being fiscally responsible stewards of our natural resources,” de Rosset said.

Installation is mapped for 13 various sites around campus and will include the following: new energy-efficient lighting systems to reduce costs and improve visibility for students and staff; new geothermal HVAC systems to effectively provide environmentally friendly heating and air conditioning systems; new windows and insulation to keep energy inside the buildings; and new digital control systems to provide exactly the heating or cooling needed in each area without waste. ESG’s enhancements help the college implement and achieve the Union College’s Board of Trustees’ goal of improving energy efficiency while providing cost-effective, comfortable classrooms and workspaces.

Steve Pride, regional manager of ESG, noted, “This is a great partnership with Union College. Our facility improvement solution provides for a more modern campus infrastructure that costs less to operate, is better for the environment, and helps Union College continue its leadership as a community steward.” Also, ESG will provide continuing measurement and verification services to Union College to ensure energy savings and system performance targets are being achieved, as well as offering additional alternatives to improve future efficiencies and achieve further cost reductions.

Members of the campus and community at large are invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, where they will have an opportunity to learn more about this landmark initiative for the college.

October 27th, 2006

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