Model project assures lower carbon footprint, reduced energy use and greener learning opportunities for students attending this Lake County, Ohio school BUFFALO GROVE, Ill., March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Lakeland Community College is moving quickly to achieve a greener, more sustainable future with the help of a comprehensive energy and resource efficiency improvement project delivered by Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. The campus-wide effort, among the first of its kind in the region, is on a fast track--one that when finished will significantly lower its overall carbon footprint and realize enough energy savings to reduce equivalent annual energy costs by more than $500,000. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090324/NY88526 ) (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO ) "Lakeland is committed to reducing our own impact on the environment. We also hope to be a role model for our students and employees, as well as for our county, state and nation," said Lakeland President Dr. Morris W. Beverage, Jr. Encompassing a broad variety of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system upgrades, lighting retrofits and building and facility improvements, the campus-wide project is on a very aggressive 10-month schedule according to Siemens. Among the improvements planned is the first green roof in Lake County, which will crown the S-Building with vegetation and serve as one of the more visible examples of Lakeland's commitment to sustainability. Other elements of the project will be less apparent but will nevertheless contribute a great deal to achieving the energy and resource efficiency goals mandated by House Bill 251 and guaranteed by the Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) Siemens has with the school. "Lakeland's cost of energy is $1.7 million which represents three percent of our budget. Our comprehensive energy plan will significantly reduce our energy costs and also reduce our carbon dioxide footprint by 38 percent; that's about 5,300 metric tons or more than a third of its current emissions measured at 14,000 tons annually." said Michael Mayher, vice president for administrative services and treasurer. Along with financial and environmental benefits, Siemens, through its Building Education program, will help Lakeland Community College establish a facility energy management course curriculum that will help students prepare for a segment of the "green" job market, an emerging career path that is increasingly relevant--especially now that the new administration looks to champion energy-efficiency upgrades to the nation's infrastructure including, state, federal and other public buildings, as well as commercial and industrial facilities. What will set Lakeland Community College's program apart from its peers is the fact that its own structures and systems will create a living learning environment where students will be able to experience their coursework first-hand and apply what they learn directly. Effective energy management is fueled by data on consumption and other key metrics--this information is vital and will be delivered to students, faculty and administrators via several Green TouchScreens strategically placed in campus buildings. These interfaces will translate and report data gathered by the existing building automation system Siemens is upgrading and improving as part of the overall project. Lakeland Community College is a public institution of higher education founded in 1967 as the first college in Ohio established by a vote of the people. Lakeland offers career programs that prepare students for immediate employment, transfer programs that prepare students for successful transfer to four-year schools, classes and certificate programs to improve job skills, noncredit continuing education classes, and workforce development training. Siemens Building Technologies Building Education program is active nationwide supporting STEM initiatives and green curricula development. The goal is to provide students opportunities that will lead to careers in energy-related fields, including environmental and energy engineering as well as 21st century green technician jobs. The program partners with professional and philanthropic organizations such as the Association for Career Technical Education and the Ford Motor Company Fund. As a leading provider of energy and environmental solutions, building controls, fire safety and security systems solutions, Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., makes buildings comfortable, safe, secure and less costly to operate. With U.S. headquarters in Buffalo Grove, Ill., Siemens Building Technologies employs 7,400 people and provides a full range of services and solutions from more than 100 locations coast-to-coast. Worldwide, the company has 28,000 employees and operates from more than 500 locations in 51 countries. For more information on Siemens Building Technologies, visit: http://www.usa.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090324/NY88526 http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Siemens Building Technologies CONTACT: Steven E. Kuehn, +1-847-941-6047, Web Site: http://www.usa.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/000728.html

Copyright