Monday, June 19, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
State Awards Schools, Communities $9.3 Million in Low- Interest Loans
JEFFERSON CITY –Gov. Matt Blunt today announced the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has approved nearly $9.3 million in low-interest loans through the Energy Loan Program. Close to 50 schools and communities will use the loans to make energy-efficiency improvements.
“The Energy Loan Program works because we are investing in energy efficiency and improved performance,” Blunt said. “The loans pay for themselves through energy savings and allow districts to improve classroom conditions for students, save taxpayer money and redirect the savings toward the priority needs of each school.”
Energy efficiency plays a vital role in environmental quality, reducing environmental impacts on Missouri’s air and water by displacing fossil fuel generation. More than 95 percent of Missouri’s primary energy sources are imported from outside the state at a cost of more than $13 billion each year. Energy efficiency benefits Missouri’s economy by reducing the rate at which dollars leave the state for the purchase of fossil fuels.
DNR’s Energy Center has loaned more than $62 million throughout Missouri since 1988. Eligible loan applicants are schools, local governments, colleges and universities. Loan recipients are currently saving an estimated $9.7 million in energy costs each year.
The following schools, colleges and universities received loans:
- East Central College in Union received a nearly $655,000 loan for energy efficiency projects that are expected to cut the college’s energy costs by $67,296 annually. The loan will pay for the installation of high-efficiency lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and new construction.
- Jefferson City Public Schools received a $1.06 million loan for energy improvements to 14 Jefferson City Public School buildings, expected to save the district an estimated $93,850 in annual energy costs. The loan will pay for improved energy-efficient lighting in all 14 targeted buildings and for upgraded heating systems in four of those buildings. A total of nine of the district’s 11 elementary schools as well as Simonsen Ninth Grade Center, Jefferson City High School, Nichols Career Center, Board of Education Office and Performing Arts Center will be receiving lighting upgrades. Moreau Heights, South, Southwest and Thorpe Gordon elementary schools will be receiving new heating systems.
- Kansas City-area schools received more than $4.7 million in loans for energy efficiency projects for seven metropolitan area municipalities and school districts. The loans, which range in size from $1.9 million to the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) for the installation of high-efficiency lighting to $51,000 to the City of Belton for insulation, lights, windows and HVAC controls, are expected to result in annual energy savings of more than $425,000. UMKC’s lighting replacement project is expected to save the university $277,335 annually in energy costs. Belton’s upgrades will save the city an estimated $4,438. The City of Gladstone will use its $1.08 million loan on a project to upgrade its wall and ceiling insulation, lighting and HVAC system. The changes are expected to save the city $94,076 annually. Blue Springs R-IV School District’s $780,000 loan for HVAC boiler upgrades and roof insulation should save the district $67,184 annually. Lee’s Summit R-VIII School District received a $742,362 loan for lights, window replacement, HVAC and controls, which are expected to save the district $63,544 annually. In Raytown the city received a $57,500 loan for a lighting replacement project that should save the city $4,927 annually, and Raytown C-2 School District received a $93,600 loan for HVAC improvements. The upgrades should save the district $8,024 annually.
- The Lincoln R-II School District received a $555,000 loan. The projects are expected to cut district energy costs by $47,669. The loan will pay for the installation of high-efficiency lighting, replacement of inefficient windows and installation of a ground-source heat pump.
- St. Louis-area schools received nearly $1.6 million in loans for energy efficiency projects for two St. Louis metropolitan area schools and one university. The loans, which range in size from $850,000 to Harris-Stowe University for lighting and HVAC upgrades to $195,000 to Hancock Place School District for upgraded HVAC, are expected to result in annual energy savings of more than $137,043. Harris-Stowe’s lighting and HVAC project is expected to save the university $72,901 annually in energy costs. Hancock Place’s upgrades will save the district an estimated $16,836. The third loan was made to the Bayless Consolidated School District. Its $550,000 loan for pipe insulation and HVAC controls is expected to save the district $47,306 annually.
- The University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) received a $712,000 loan to improve lighting in 20 campus buildings. The loan will fund the replacement of existing lights with higher-efficiency fluorescent lamps. The lighting replacement project, which the university expects to complete by April, should eventually save UMR more than $163,000 in annual energy costs.
For more information, contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Energy Center at (573) 751-3443 or the department toll free at (800) 361-4827.
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