ST. GEORGE – Dixie State College is proud to announce an energy conservation initiative that will save money and create more efficient, comfortable facilities for its 9,000 students. Construction is expected to be complete by Fall 2011 and is estimated to save the area’s higher education institution an anticipated $6.2 million over the next 17 years.

Notably, the upgrades will be funded within the college’s existing operating budget – without impacting tuition or requiring additional funding from state taxpayers. An energy performance contract with Johnson Controls enables the college to reduce its utility costs, while the expected savings will be used to offset the project’s capital investment over the term of the contract. The project development was coordinated by the Division of Facilities Construction and Management.

The numerous upgrades will not only reduce operating costs, but also lower the college’s carbon footprint equivalent to the energy use of 218 homes. The collective environmental impact of the project will be equivalent to removing 440 cars off the road or planting 564 acres of pine trees.
Some of the campus upgrades will be obvious to students and visitors, and other changes will take place behind the scenes, including:

• Water conserving fixtures are anticipated to save $45,000 per year.
• Interior lighting upgrades in the majority of buildings that will include efficient fixtures and occupancy sensors.
• New energy-saving lighting at Burns Arena and the football field at Hansen Stadium.
• Advanced temperature control setbacks to modify temperature based on building occupancy.