MEDIA ADVISORY – On Tuesday, March 19, during the monthly College of Western Idaho (CWI) Board of Trustee meeting, representatives from Idaho Power acknowledged CWI’s leadership for their forward-thinking efforts in energy-focused design and construction of the new Micron Center for Professional Technical Education.
Last year the vacant retail store was completely remodeled and transformed into a teaching center for the College. CWI partnered with Idaho Power to incorporate energy-efficient measures into the design achieving an estimated annual savings of nearly 713,000 kilowatt-hours – that’s enough energy to power 57 average-sized homes in our service area for one year.
“This project is a model for taking an existing building, and through a collaborative approach, transforming it into a very functional educational facility,” said Todd Schultz, Idaho Power Energy Efficiency Program Leader. “In addition to using energy wisely, we firmly believe these energy efficient measures will provide a more comfortable learning environment for both students and educators.”
With the remodel complete in August, the building efficiency program project focused on lighting; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); and energy management controls. Preliminary reports indicate a 27.8 percent savings in energy use prior to the construction efforts.
CWI was presented with a check for $101,736.50 and plaque to hang in recognition of its energy efficient measures.
“We are very proud of our facilities and construction team, and we are very appreciative of Idaho Power’s efforts in helping CWI achieve such tremendous results,” noted CWI President Bert Glandon. “We hope to increase our efficiencies throughout all of our locations in the future to continue to support smarter energy consumption in our community.”
Contact:
Jennifer Couch
(208) 562-3508
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About the College of Western Idaho:
The College of Western Idaho is a public, open-access, and comprehensive community college committed to providing affordable access to quality teaching and learning opportunities to the residents of its service area in western Idaho. CWI has seven campus locations throughout Southwest Idaho providing higher education and 21st Century technical skills acquisition. The college is dedicated to improving the community’s economic well-being by responding with highly-educated and productive graduates. The foundation for the area’s only community college was created by a supermajority of voters in Ada and Canyon counties on May 22, 2007. For more information about the college, visit cwi.edu or call (208) 562-3000.
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