Norwich University joins the Energy Leadership Challenge to reduce energy consumption by 7.5%

For Immediate Release
Sept. 30, 2011

Contact: Daphne Larkin
802-485-2886 or 595-3613(m)
dlarkin@norwich.edu

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NEWS RELEASE

NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Norwich University officials announced they have joined Efficiency Vermont’s Energy Leadership Challenge, which establishes a goal of reducing energy consumption by 7.5% on the campus over the next two years.

Partnering with Efficiency Vermont and SourceOne, an energy management and consulting services firm out of Boston, Norwich’s campus will undergo a thorough energy audit beginning in late September. The audit will evaluate the use of energy at all levels on campus from the central heating plant to lighting, and it is slated to take several months to complete.

According to SourceOne, a subsidiary of Veolia Energy North America, the campus can reduce its energy use by about 5% per year, saving a minimum of 400,000 kilowatt hours annually—roughly the amount of electricity consumed by more than 44 average Vermont homes (Vermont Department of Public Service figures). With the efforts from SourceOne and other energy saving measures, this puts the challenge goal of 7.5% within reach by 2013.

“The energy conservation measures to be identified by SourceOne and implemented by Norwich will take our long tradition of seeking operating efficiencies to a new level,” said Chief Administrative Officer Dave Magida. “Norwich already has a very energy efficient campus, but with the assistance of Efficiency Vermont and SourceOne, we are looking forward to meeting the goal of the Energy Leadership Challenge.”

“We are very pleased to partner with Norwich University to identify solutions to help reduce energy consumption on campus,” said Vincent Martin, President of SourceOne. “At SourceOne, we share Norwich’s commitment to energy efficiency, and we applaud their efforts to implement measures that will enable the University to operate their facilities in an even more cost-effective, efficient and environmentally-responsible manner.”

The Energy Leadership Challenge is an invitation to the largest businesses and institutions in Vermont to take action to achieve a 7.5% energy savings at their facilities over the challenge’s two-year timeframe – July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2013. The program is geared to the largest 300 or so commercial energy users in Vermont, as well as commercial energy users in Burlington Electric Department territory.

“Norwich’s leadership is exemplary," said Tim Perrin, Efficiency Vermont account manager. "By setting an energy reduction goal and developing a comprehensive plan to achieve it through this partnership, their investments will improve the operation of buildings and tackle deferred maintenance items, while achieving a rate of return that rivals historical endowment performance.”

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Norwich University is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. Norwich offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in Baccalaureate and Graduate Degrees. Norwich University was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge of the U.S. Army. Norwich University is the oldest private military college in the United States of America and the birthplace of our nation's Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). www.norwich.edu

SourceOne, a subsidiary of Veolia Energy North America, is a nationally recognized energy management and strategic advisory services company, providing support to businesses who view energy as critical to their operations, offering a strategic, customized approach to utilizing available resources, and generating new solutions. With offices in Boston, New York City and Los Angeles, SourceOne manages more than 900 megawatts (MW) of electric power, 3 bcf of natural gas, and $500 million of utility bill processing. www.sourceone-energy.com