Union College Breaks Ground on Energy Conservation Initiative

President de Rosset and ESG’s Ron Bresser shake hands after drilling the first, 300-foot well.

Union College President Edward D. de Rosset and guests broke ground on October 28 for a project that will significantly improve campus facilities while reducing energy and operational costs.

Known as the Energy Conservation Initiative, the project is a multi-faceted approach that will make Union’s campus more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

The initiative affects 13 sites on campus and includes the following: new energy-efficient lighting systems to reduce costs and improve visibility for students and staff; a geothermal well field to support 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. The enhancements will help Union achieve its goal of improving energy efficiency while providing cost-effective, comfortable classrooms and workspaces.

The $4.2 million project, which is slated for completion within 12 months, is being led by Energy Systems Group (ESG), an award-winning energy solutions and performance contracting company whose list of satisfied clients includes organizations in Kentucky, the mid-west and the southern United States.

The groundbreaking ceremony officially launched the project with the symbolic drilling of the first geothermal well. President de Rosset, with the help of ESG’s Ron Bresser, set the drill in motion to begin the first of 108, 300-foot wells.

October 31st, 2006

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