NDSCS receives state grants for energy projects
by NDSCS News Posted on 5/11/2011
State Energy Program (SEP) AARA grants total $635,000
North Dakota State College of Science will be more environmentally friendly and ‘greener' thanks to State Energy Program American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (AARA) grants totaling more than $635,000. The North Dakota Department of Commerce administers the SEP program that promotes energy conservation, efficiency and reduces the growth rate of energy demand.
The two NDSCS grants will fund the following projects: • 75 electric motors will be replaced with new high efficiency motors; • 20,000 light bulbs will be replaced with more efficient bulbs; • 1,200 light fixtures will be replaced or retrofitted with energy efficient fixtures.
NDSCS Physical Plant Director Dallas Fossum estimates the projects will be completed by May 2012. "Energy conservation is a priority on the NDSCS campuses in Wahpeton and Fargo," Fossum commented. "The AARA grant funds will help the College become more environmentally friendly as we continue to make improvements toward becoming a "green" campus."
Fossum anticipates the following cost savings to the College when the projects are completed: • $69,000 annual energy savings to offset rising energy costs; • 980,000 kilowatt hours of annual electricity savings to help conserve natural resources.