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The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF) has awarded
Blackburn College a $100,000 grant for its new Science building. The
grant will assist in making the new facility energy efficient and
environmentally sound.
“Blackburn is eager to invest in energy saving technology that will
result in lower life cycle costs and lower energy demand,” said
Blackburn President Mim Pride. “Blackburn strives to be a leader in
energy efficiency and an example for other small colleges and
businesses.”
The new building will include a staff area with private offices and
common work area; a classroom area with Ecology, Chemistry, Biology
and Botany Labs as well as their associated Research and Prep rooms;
and a public area with a lobby/demonstration space and restrooms.
The building will be a stand-alone addition to an existing Olin
Science building.
“Blackburn continually looks for ways to make the most of our
resources and partner with other organizations that have similar
goals,” added Pride.
Over the past 15 years Blackburn has attempted to reduce energy
consumption across its campus. The college has employed the use of a
computer controlled energy management system to reduce electrical
and natural gas consumption. During recent renovations to campus
buildings, energy upgrades have been included.
The ICECF grant is the second awarded to Blackburn within the past
year. A $17,000 grant enabled Blackburn to fund it’s Illumination
Efficiency Initiative. The lighting project, which is nearly
completed, focuses on making energy efficient upgrades this summer
to the indoor lighting systems of Allison Hall, Bothwell
Conservatory and the Renner Art Center. Work began in mid-May as the
college utilized student labor as well as outside contractors. In
the end, these collective efforts will increase Blackburn’s energy
efficiency by 23.8 kilowatts.
An independent, nonprofit institution, the ICECF assists the
advancement of energy efficient building design, operation, or code
implementation and supports programs and projects that will improve
develop renewable energy resources and preserve and enhance natural
areas and wildlife habitats throughout the state. The foundation was
created to support efforts that protect and improve the environment
in Illinois communities. The ICECF has three main program goals:
increasing energy efficiency, expanding the use of renewable energy
resources, and preserving and enhancing natural areas and wildlife
habitats throughout Illinois. The foundation provides financial
support for projects that advance specific program priorities
related to those three goals. It distributes that financial support
by making grants through competitive application cycles each year,
by partnering with local or state government agencies to support
various projects and through its own direct initiatives.
Walton and Associates Architects of Springfield will assist
Blackburn with the structural design of the new science facility.
Copyright ©2008 Blackburn College. All rights reserved.
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