LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville has received $373,000 in energy efficiency rebates from Louisville Gas and Electric Company, for its participation in the utility's Commercial Rebate Program, which offers qualified commercial customers of LG&E and Kentucky Utilities Company a cash incentive to replace aging, less efficient equipment and lighting.
Specifically, energy efficient lighting was installed in more than 70 buildings, including Ekstrom Library, the Swain Student Activities Center and Brandeis School of Law. Those retrofits generated more than $200,000 of the rebate. The bulk of the remaining rebate balance came from switching to more efficient motors, motor controls and pumps at the campus.
The rebate from LG&E will be used to help offset the costs of several of its retrofitted areas. Similar energy-saving efforts are planned at the university's other campuses, the Health Sciences Center and ShelbyHurst.
The university took advantage of the utility rebate program with assistance from Siemens Building Technologies, a business that helps clients find ways to become more energy efficient.
"About two years ago, we got serious about reducing our carbon footprint," said UofL President James Ramsey. "Now we're starting to see results, and this rebate shows we're on the right path."
"We consider the University of Louisville's rebate a two-fold success that can serve as a model for our other commercial customers," said Chris Hermann, Senior Vice President of Energy Delivery for E.ON U.S. "The university will not only see the immediate financial benefit of our rebate program, but these energy efficient improvements will pay dividends to the university through continued energy savings for years to come."
The LG&E and KU Commercial Rebate Program was approved in 2008 to encourage qualified commercial customers to replace inefficient equipment with high-efficiency lighting, motors, pumps and refrigeration equipment. These improvements help lower customers' overall energy costs and usage, which in turn helps reduce overall energy demand on the electric system.
The program is funded through 2014 and is offered to LG&E and KU commercial customers who contribute to Demand Side Management as part of their monthly bills.
Visit www.lge-ku.com/rebate for more information and to learn eligibility requirements for E.ON U.S.'s Commercial Rebate program.
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LG&E is a wholly-owned subsidiary of E.ON U.S. LLC that serves 314,000 natural gas and 389,000 electric customers in Louisville, Ky., and 16 surrounding counties.
