By Amanda Free
Siemens Building Technologies, a leading provider of energy and environmental solutions, signed a 12-year contract last year with the University of Louisville. This project is expected to save the university $33 million by the year 2020 and includes an audit of six million square feet, containing 84 U of L buildings.
The audit is predicted to lower U of L’s $13.8 million utility bill by about 30 percent a year. U of L will suffer no out-of-pocket expenses. Siemens has pledged to cover any shortfall, if the cost of improvements is not covered by the university’s savings in energy and water bills.
Along with this agreement, an internal Sustainability Council was formed that is responsible for decisions regarding energy cuts, among other sustainability issues.
Kaycee Stone, of the Group Recycling and Sustainable Solutions movement, also known as GRASS, is a member of this council and seems enthusiastic about the energy cuts U of L is making.
“It’s great to see that the university is taking a big step to address some major problems, such as the lighting and HVAC systems,” said Stone. “Because that’s where sustainability needs to start on campus.”
Other students are equally excited about this move toward sustainability.
“I think this is a big step in making U of L a greener campus,” said Jeremy Bozarth, a freshman industrial engineering major.
The GRASS student group hopes that this project will lead to more efforts in going green.
“A project like the energy contract will show students, faculty and the community that we are serious about sustainability issues at the University of Louisville and will lead to more discussion and consideration about what individuals can do,” said Stone.
