The University News

Issue date: 8/24/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Courtesy Google Images

For the past few years, UMKC has worked toward a goal of becoming a more sustainable community.

A number of strategies have been implemented in an effort to "green" campus.

Organizations such as the Environmental Studies Student Association (ESSA), the Sustainability Team, Think, Work, Inspire, Grow (TWIG) and the Student Government Association (SGA) have pushed for and incorporated programs such as the clean commute bike program, recycling programs, LEED accreditation for all new buildings and rain gardens scattered throughout the campus.

Yet another step toward the plan was taken when the Central Utilities Performance Contract began two years ago.

The plan is aimed toward saving UMKC money by becoming more energy efficient.

"In light of the ongoing challenges in state funding to universities, UMKC has to be creative in finding ways to support energy conservation and management," Rick Anderson, vice chancellor of Administrative Services, said.

Chancellor Leo Morton said the savings would be used to pay back the bonds acquired to put all the energy efficient measures into place.

"One example is the Chilled Water Plant Replacement project," Anderson said. "We worked with Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company to develop a performance contract, accomplishing $20 million in energy-saving capital improvements. This resulted in a $1.6 million annual savings and is allowing us to pay off bonds used to finance the project."

Burns & McDonnell Engineering started putting the plan into action in 2007.

Since then, measures have been applied, including new temperature control systems, energy efficient lighting and water fixtures and setting the thermostats to 75 degrees, instead of the normal 72 degrees.

Night temperature set-backs for heating and cooling were established and more cost efficient central plant chillers were placed at the Volker Campus and School of Medicine.

All together, the project is saving 11,706 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere, which is equivalent to planting 35,000 trees or ridding the streets of 2,000 SUVs.

Reasons behind the new measures were not only to become more environmentally friendly, but to find alternative routes to saving money for the school during the current economical crisis.

The idea is to minimize the impact the economy can have on education and jobs by seeking a way to save in other areas and being good stewards of the environment.

Many of the measures executed were actually ideas straight out of the suggestion box.

Other ideas that have been pinpointed are small things that almost everyone can do to help.

Additional ideas can be dropped in the virtual suggestion box at www.umkc.edu/chancellor/suggestion.asp.

kkates@unews.com

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