Arkansas Tech University has contracted with Performance Services Inc. to implement phase I of an energy savings project that will increase environmental sustainability and efficiency of operations on the Russellville and Ozark campuses.
Goals of the ATU energy savings project include:
- Establish comfort and environmental standards throughout campus facilities
- Reduce campus utility costs
- Improve building automation systems to operate buildings more efficiently
- Engage students in energy conservation awareness to help create a sustainable campus
By utilizing 30 different energy conservation options, Performance Services Inc. and ATU identified over $25 million in potential projects.
As that list was prioritized, the following four projects were selected for phase I of the energy savings project implementation:
- LED lighting retrofit — all campus interior and exterior lighting
- Building automation integration
- New lab fume hood and kitchen hood retrofit and safety upgrades
- New energy leadership program
Phase I of the implementation will begin in October 2018 and be completed by May 2019.
“Author Robert Louis Stevenson once wrote: don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant,” said Dr. Robin E. Bowen, ATU president, during a kickoff event for the energy savings project implementation phase. “By making an investment in more energy efficient practices, we are planting a seed. This seed will grow into significant utility cost savings to the university. As a result, we will be in an even stronger financial position and have more resources to support our mission of student access and student success.
“In addition, we can take satisfaction and pride in the fact that Arkansas Tech University will be an exemplar for best practices in conservation and a proper institutional citizen of our region, our state and the world,” continued Bowen. “It is a noble pursuit, and it is one that will require a great deal of hard work by many people. I thank each of you in advance for what you will do to bring this vision to reality. Best wishes as we embark upon this journey together.”
Photographed (from left-to-right): Sterling Miller, Performance Services business development manager; Bernadette Hinkle, ATU vice president for administration and finance; Tim Thoman, Performance Services president and chief executive officer; Dr. Robin E. Bowen, ATU president; and Brian Lasey, ATU director of physical plant.
