Representatives from Wesleyan University and Eversource have announced a new energy-efficiency partnership that will reduce energy costs and enhance the university’s overall sustainability efforts.
The new strategic partnership supports a three-year energy-efficiency plan that will save an additional 3.2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and includes energy saving upgrades in the Spurrier-Snyder Rink and Exley Science Center Data Center.
“With this partnership, Wesleyan University is reaffirming its commitment to energy efficiency,” said Eversource Vice President of Government Affairs Margaret Morton. “We look forward to helping Wesleyan better manage their energy, as they integrate new technologies and measures into buildings that will deliver year-after-year energy and cost savings, and build a better, more sustainable campus.”
“The work and our partnership with Eversource is vitally important to helping us reduce our impact on the environment and keep operating costs down,” said Wesleyan President Michael Roth. “It is also in line with our mission to think critically and act creatively to solve challenges. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and look forward to the future.”
The new partnership takes a deeper, cost-effective approach to energy management on the Wesleyan University campus. Eversource estimates the energy efficiency work completed since 2014 across the campus has saved the school almost four million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, reduced energy costs by approximately $480,000 a year, and resulted in annual carbon reductions of nearly 262 tons – the equivalent of taking nearly 60 cars off the road for a year.
Following the partnership announcement, Wesleyan University and Eversource representatives hosted a tour of recently completed energy-efficiency upgrades throughout the Freeman Athletic Center. Guests included Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Robert Klee, and City of Middletown Councilman Gerald Daley.
The athletic center upgrades include newly installed energy-efficient LED lighting systems that reduce maintenance costs and also provide a better environment with minimal glare, helping players and spectators follow action on the ice, in the pool or on the court. The systems use up to 75 percent less electricity and feature dimming and remote-control capabilities, as well as smart, motion-detecting controls that can be scheduled to turn off lights when no one is present, sharply reducing electricity usage throughout the 259,104 square foot facility.
The Wesleyan University and Eversource plan supports the university’s clean energy goals along with Wesleyan’s Climate Action Plan and goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The event wraps up Campus Sustainability Month, an international celebration of sustainability in higher education.
About Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University is a private, non-sectarian liberal arts university in Middletown, Conn. Founded in 1831, Wesleyan offers its 3,000 undergraduates and 200 graduate students a demanding educational environment characterized by boldness, rigor and practical idealism. At Wesleyan, distinguished scholar-teachers work closely with students in more than 45 fields of study. The university seeks to build a diverse, energetic community of students, faculty and staff who think critically and creatively and value independence of mind and the generosity of spirit. Located two hours from both New York and Boston, the campus overlooks downtown Middletown and the Connecticut River. Wesleyan faculty also teach students around the globe through Coursera, including MOOCs in creative writing, the humanities, film, mathematics, and more. For more information, visit www.wesleyan.edu.
About Eversource:
Eversource (NYSE: ES) transmits and delivers electricity to 1.2 million customers in 149 cities and towns, provides natural gas to 232,000 customers in 73 communities, and supplies water to
approximately 197,000 customers in 51 communities across Connecticut. Recognized as the top U.S. utility for its energy efficiency programs by the sustainability advocacy organization Ceres, Eversource harnesses the commitment of its more than 8,300 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. For more information, please visit our website (www.eversource.com) and follow us on Twitter (@EversourceCT) and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceCT). For more information on our water services, visit www.aquarionwater.com.
About Energize Connecticut
Energize Connecticut helps you save money and use clean energy. It is an initiative of the State of Connecticut, the Connecticut Green Bank, Eversource, UI, SCG and CNG, with funding from a charge on customer energy bills. Information can be found at EnergizeCT.com.
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