*For Immediate Release*
Improvements Save Energy and Environment
-released by OPSU Campus Communications 10-05-05
by Laura Dahl
Over the past three years, Oklahoma Panhandle State University
has completed a significant number of infrastructure improvements.
Spurred in part by rising energy costs, OPSU invited companies
to conduct an energy conservation study of the facilities in
2002. As a result of the improvements, the facility is not
only more energy efficient, it has also had a positive environmental
impact in the community.
Johnson Controls, a global corporation headquartered in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, was chosen to complete the study. They recommended
specific action to reduce utility and maintenance costs, increase
the reliability and operation of building environmental systems,
increase the comfort and productivity of those learning and
working in the buildings, and educate personnel on additional
energy and cost savings.
More energy-efficient lighting and thermostats
were installed in all buildings, and a computerized temperature
control center was added which is used to maintain and monitor
the temperature in all buildings. Another part of the project
included steam line replacement as well as replacement of all
pipes in Holter Hall, a student dormitory. Johnson Controls
continues to monitor the effects of the improvements, and the
decline in energy consumption is significant.
OPSU also recently received an environmental
impact statement. By reducing the amount of fossil fuels needed
to produce electricity and supply natural gas to the campus,
we have significantly reduced pollutants in our community.
Specifically, greenhouse gases, volatile organic compounds,
nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, particulates
and mercury emissions have been lowered. According to the Johnson
Controls statement, the reductions are equivalent to the energy
consumed by 96 single-family homes based on usage of 30,000
kilowatt hours per year!
With rising energy costs and concern about the environment,
OPSU remains committed to reducing consumption while keeping
students in a comfortable learning environment and lessening
the environmental impact on our community.
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