Genesee Community College Lands $457,000 Energy Conservation Grant

Genesee Community College has been awarded a $457,661 grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for replacement of campus lighting with new energy-efficient devices, the Board of Trustees learned Monday.  The College is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.

Through the grant, the College will replace incandescent and fluorescent lighting fixtures and ballasts with more efficient fluorescent lighting and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs over the next year. LED bulbs are highly energy-efficient and last longer than traditional bulbs, according to Kevin P. Hamilton, Vice President for Finance and Operations. “These changes create greater light output per unit of electrical power used,” Mr. Hamilton said. “And will result in savings of at least $48,000 annually at Genesee.

NYSERDA is a state agency created to fund research and infrastructure initiatives that result in greater efficiency throughout the state, and ultimately a reduction in reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA grants are highly competitive. The grant proposal was coordinated by longtime Buildings and Grounds Director Timothy M. Landers.

“This is a grant we have never had before,” President Stuart Steiner told trustees. “It is very significant.”

Mr. Hamilton told trustees that the College will continue to seek “green” grants. “Our hope is that we will receive additional funds to be able to complete other projects such as boiler replacements, upgrades to the energy management system and motor replacements. We continue to study the feasibility of solar and wind power.”

Short URL: http://www.mygreeneducation.com/?p=5807

Posted by SBurke on Mar 11 2010. Filed under College, Environmental. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry