Nazareth College Creates Campus Illuminated in Green
Nazareth College is taking energy savings to a new level by becoming one of the first colleges nationwide to complete an overhaul of its campus lighting. The 150 acre, tree-lined campus, located near Rochester, N.Y., will soon be lit by more than 600 energy-efficient LED lights, reducing the College’s electricity needs by more than 70% and cutting the equivalent carbon emissions by more than 350 tons a year. It is one of the largest projects of its size in the nation.
"This campus-wide lighting project will help reduce energy consumption, lower maintenance expenses, improve campus safety and reduce hazardous materials on campus. The other benefits are that the lights from the LEDs are cleaner, brighter and have less light spillover than incandescent lights,” said Peter Lana, Sodexo’s director of facilities for Nazareth. “This project is very beneficial and is adding value to our faculty, staff and students.”
It’s also about creating a sustainable campus environment, said Trina Marquez, associate vice president for facilities and campus operations. “Ultimately, this is one of several initiatives in our overall energy management plan to strategically conserve energy and save costs.”
The project is partially supported through funding provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) and Rochester Gas & Electric. A multi-disciplined engineering team comprised of Leader Professional Services, Inc., an environmental and energy engineering firm, and EMCOR Services Betlem, a facilities and energy services company, conducted a lighting energy audit through the NYSERDA FlexTech program. The audit identified lighting and controls as key areas that could help the College meet its energy-conservation and sustainability goals.
According to Mike Rumrill, president of Leader, the Nazareth project is one of the few of its size in the country. “Our understanding is that other colleges and schools have undertaken lighting projects in piecemeal fashion. Few are approaching it on a campus-wide basis by conducting energy use analysis, light measurements and using multi-level partnerships with utility and State energy efficiency funding.”
More than 310 building exterior, parking lot, roadway and sidewalk LEDs have already been installed during the first phase of the project. The next proposed phase would include approximately 200 additional LEDs. Ephesus Lighting of Syracuse, New York manufactures the LEDs. When the planned project completion is reached in 2015, almost 500,000-kilowatt hours a year will be saved, equivalent to the energy needed to light 31 homes for a year.
For More Information
Julie Long, Nazareth Chief Public Relations Officer: (585) 389-2456
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
