Lake Land goes green
Alternative energy sources on the way
Jenny Keefe, Campus & Features Editor
Issue date: 3/1/08 Section: News
Lake Land College is on the verge of making the transition to a green campus. Believe it or not, Lake Land is one of only a few campuses in the United States to take such an inspiring initiative.
The decision to explore alternative energy sources came as a result of current heating and power systems reaching the end of their life span. With an expected 30% electric rate increase over the next three years for the college, it made sense to research more viable methods.
The three innovative technologies coming to campus include wind turbines which will take care of 10 percent of the college's electrical needs, solar water heaters, and geothermal heating. By incorporating such amenities, the college will not only be "reducing the carbon footprint," but also, "cutting its gas usage by a minimum of 40 percent," states Joe Tillman, electrical engineer/safety trainer for Lake Land.
Although the college anticipates "recuperating the initial expense" of retrofitting the buildings on campus "within five to ten years," as stated by bio-science instructor Dr. David Turnbull, they are actively seeking grants and bonds obtainable from public and private donors. Raymond Reick, vice president of business services, along with Pamela Crisman, vice president of development were recently in Washington, D.C., lobbying for more available funding for the project.
So far, Lake Land has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation for a wind energy study to help determine what type of turbine would fit the needs of the college, and a $45,000 grant for the geothermal integration of the fitness center from the same organization.
Other notable upcoming changes to campus include; natural lighting via skylights with reflective lenses installed into selected commons areas and classrooms, as well as incorporating native prairie grasses into current landscaping. There is also the potential for solar powered lights to be erected in parking lots.
Durward Askew, director of the physical plant, explains that a shift has been made to green cleaning supplies and hopes to increase current recycling efforts, presently weighing in at an impressive 44% of all waste produced, with the prospect of Lake Land becoming a future drop off site for recyclables, available to all.
These exciting changeovers are scheduled to begin during spring break of 2008 and will continue over the next five to seven years with the majority of the work occurring during summer breaks.
A round of applause is well deserved to the almost impossible to compile list of names in regards to the inspiration, brainstorming, initiative, and hard work that has come along with converting Lake Land College to a green campus. These decisions will not only benefit students for generations to come but also lead the way in environmental consciousness.
Here's to the future…
The decision to explore alternative energy sources came as a result of current heating and power systems reaching the end of their life span. With an expected 30% electric rate increase over the next three years for the college, it made sense to research more viable methods.
The three innovative technologies coming to campus include wind turbines which will take care of 10 percent of the college's electrical needs, solar water heaters, and geothermal heating. By incorporating such amenities, the college will not only be "reducing the carbon footprint," but also, "cutting its gas usage by a minimum of 40 percent," states Joe Tillman, electrical engineer/safety trainer for Lake Land.
Although the college anticipates "recuperating the initial expense" of retrofitting the buildings on campus "within five to ten years," as stated by bio-science instructor Dr. David Turnbull, they are actively seeking grants and bonds obtainable from public and private donors. Raymond Reick, vice president of business services, along with Pamela Crisman, vice president of development were recently in Washington, D.C., lobbying for more available funding for the project.
So far, Lake Land has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation for a wind energy study to help determine what type of turbine would fit the needs of the college, and a $45,000 grant for the geothermal integration of the fitness center from the same organization.
Other notable upcoming changes to campus include; natural lighting via skylights with reflective lenses installed into selected commons areas and classrooms, as well as incorporating native prairie grasses into current landscaping. There is also the potential for solar powered lights to be erected in parking lots.
Durward Askew, director of the physical plant, explains that a shift has been made to green cleaning supplies and hopes to increase current recycling efforts, presently weighing in at an impressive 44% of all waste produced, with the prospect of Lake Land becoming a future drop off site for recyclables, available to all.
These exciting changeovers are scheduled to begin during spring break of 2008 and will continue over the next five to seven years with the majority of the work occurring during summer breaks.
A round of applause is well deserved to the almost impossible to compile list of names in regards to the inspiration, brainstorming, initiative, and hard work that has come along with converting Lake Land College to a green campus. These decisions will not only benefit students for generations to come but also lead the way in environmental consciousness.
Here's to the future…
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