University Receives EPA Award for Energy Upgrades

The University of Rochester has received an award from the Environmental Protection Agency for completing lighting upgrades in an additional 10 percent of its total square footage.

The University is an ongoing participant in the EPA's voluntary Green Lights Program. Workers are replacing inefficient ballasts and lights with new energy-efficient units, and are installing motion sensors and variable speed motors for heating and air conditioning.

"When the project is completed, the University will save approximately 13 million kilowatt hours and reduce peak electrical demand by 2,500 kilowatts a year," said University energy engineer David Weed, P.E. Some $930,000 a year is expected to be saved under a contract with NORESCO, Northeast Energy Services Inc.

Upgrades are under way in CSSL, Central Utilities, the pedestrian tunnels, Rush Rhees Library, and Whipple Park. Construction will soon start in Interfaith Chapel, and Meliora, Bausch & Lomb, Hylan, Hopeman, Dewey, and Schlegel halls. The remaining buildings on River Campus are under design, as well as the hospital, Medical Center, and remote University properties.

The facilities department has set up a World Wide Web home page that includes updated project information and construction plans: www.facilities.rochester.edu.