County, college team up

CANTON — St. Lawrence County and St. Lawrence University are teaming up in a quest for federal funding for energy-efficiency measures in their respective buildings.

The university and Wendel Energy Services Co., Buffalo, recently conducted a campuswide energy audit that identified millions of dollars in potential savings in efficiency improvements.

Benjamin R. Dixon, SLU's regional development and sustainability coordinator, said SLU is seeking an appropriation from U.S. Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., in the 2011 Energy and Water Development Bill to develop design and construction plans.

Mr. Dixon said the audit identified efficiencies in upgrading lighting and controls, energy management and heating and ventilation systems, in addition to water conservation measures. He said the identified measures could reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions by 2.3 million metric tons.

"The more of these measures we're able to implement, the more we'll cut down on our daily energy use and reduce the environmental impacts of our operations," Mr. Dixon said.

The county, on the other hand, has not conducted a comprehensive audit of energy use or potential savings from efficiency measures in all of its buildings, said Michael J. Cunningham, governmental services director. The federal funding would pay for a comprehensive audit.

"There have been changes in technologies," he said. "In the older buildings, there aren't a lot of mechanical systems in there to upgrade, but there are some advantages to doing one there."

He said an audit would be similar to the energy audit conducted for the new county jail.

"There was a whole modeling of that building before it was built," Mr. Cunningham said. "We got $153,000 in rebates for that project."

Mr. Dixon and Mr. Cunningham said the university and county have a better chance of receiving funding if they apply jointly. Preference is given to public-private partnerships, and the county can benefit from the university's experience so far, Mr. Dixon said.

"They will be able to fairly quickly follow our lead to get their audit completed," Mr. Dixon said. "Many of the measures that would be implemented are similar for the university and the county. I think it's going to be a win-win for everybody."