Mesalands Community College plans to reduce its energy usage five percent by 2016
February 24, 2014
(Right) Jim Morgan, Director of the North American Wind Research and Training Center at Mesalands Community College, discusses the new Joint Energy-Efficiency Plan (JEEP) with Tonya Milam, Account Manager at Xcel Energy.
Mesalands Community College recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Xcel Energy to develop and implement a Joint Energy-Efficiency Plan (JEEP). This plan outlines multiple conservation opportunities resulting in the three year goal, for the College to reduce its electric usage by five percent by the year 2016. Energy savings associated with projects approved by JEEP, will result in rebates, or paybacks to the College.
“This MOU is basically an indication of Xcel Energy’s intent to award us for reducing our energy consumption, by shifting to more efficient products,” said Jim Morgan, Director of the North American Wind Research and Training Center at Mesalands Community College.
Mesalands Community College received $1 million under the Higher Education Bond C in 2012 for roof repairs and replacement of HVAC units. Mesalands will begin roofing construction on Buildings A and C next month. As a result of JEEP, the College will be awarded for purchasing more energy efficient HVAC units in both buildings. In the long-term, Mesalands also plans to switch to more modern and efficient lighting, in which the College could receive rebates as outlined in JEEP.
“This plan gives Xcel Energy the ability to help our customers to plan energy efficiency projects within a five year period. It gives us the ability to figure out which programs they may want to utilize to maximize their rebate opportunities,” said Tonya Milam, Account Manager at Xcel Energy. “Most importantly, this plan also helps us forecast and it allows us to go to our constituents to show that we are working with our customers, in helping them plan not only currently, but in the future to implement more projects, in order to be more energy efficient.”
Xcel Energy assists their customers and communities in various different ways, including supporting higher education opportunities. Xcel Energy has awarded over $30,000 in grants to students majoring in Wind Energy Technology at Mesalands since 2005.
“Xcel Energy has and continues to be a great supporter of our students and their education at Mesalands Community College,” said Dr. Thomas W. Newsom, President of Mesalands Community College. “This agreement will allow us to work in partnership with Xcel Energy, to better utilize our resources in regards to making our campus more energy efficient.”
