The Jessie Ball duPont Fund Energy Initiative has named University of Lynchburg one of the nation’s “most aggressive” schools with a commitment to reducing energy consumption.
Like the other eight schools on the list, University of Lynchburg has invested millions of dollars in sustainability projects and reaped the rewards through lower energy spending.
In “Saving Energy, Saving Money & Growing for the Future,” the fund reports on the first eight years of its Energy Initiative, which was started in 2009 to help colleges and universities pursue projects that would save energy.
University of Lynchburg has received more than $240,000 in sustainability-related grants from the duPont Fund over the past decade. These grants, combined with the College’s own funds, paid for more than $4 million of campus improvements that saved energy. Low-flow water fixtures, efficient lighting, solar-powered hot water systems, and submeters for residence halls have saved the College tremendous resources.
The College uses the money it saves through sustainability programs to fund additional green projects. This “revolving fund” approach helps Lynchburg continue pursuing projects, such as upgrading residence hall windows or heating and air conditioning systems to improve energy efficiency.
One section of the story highlights how Lynchburg’s early adoption of the revolving fund methodology has yielded incredible benefits for the environment and the institution. Since 2010, University of Lynchburg has saved more than 4,557,600 KWH in electricity and 13,421,364 gallons of water.
Other schools in the “most aggressive” list include Hollins University and Emory and Henry College. The eight schools on the list are on track to save more than $2.8 million by 2021 through their Green Revolving Loan Funds, the article says.
