District of Columbia News October 19, 2011 University of the District of Columbia partners with the DC Sustainable Energy Utility to promote demonstration energy efficiency projects The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DC SEU) have formed a partnership to pilot demonstration projects at the University. The partnership entails lighting retrofits, the installation of new energy-efficient light fixtures and the utilization of a lighting management program to reduce energy consumption at the UDC campus. The DC SEU is providing UDC an incentive grant of $65,000 for these projects. "As we continue to expand our Sustainability Initiative and grow into our role as a sustainability leader in higher education, partnerships with organizations like the DC Sustainable Energy Utility become critically important," says UDC President, Allen L. Sessoms. In meeting its goal of promoting energy efficiency investments throughout the District of Columbia, the DC SEU utilizes its resources to leverage further energy savings with residential, commercial and institutional partners. "Very early on, the DC SEU identified UDC as a value-added institution, one with physical and intellectual assets to build on," says Scott Johnstone, acting Managing Director of the DC SEU. "UDC and the DC SEU share a common mission in serving the residents of the District of Columbia so developing our partnership came naturally." Over the course of a few weeks, lighting upgrades to conference rooms, classrooms and student study rooms will be completed. Improvements will result in energy savings of up to fifteen percent. "Students and faculty will notice a substantial upgrade in the appearance of our educational facilities," Dr. Sessoms continues. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.