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Prince George’s Community College to Reduce Pollution -- Save Money

Release Date: 4/14/2000
Contact Information: Roy Seneca, (215) 814-5567 / Carol Febbo, (215) 814-2076

Roy Seneca, 215-814-5567 & Carol Febbo, 215-814-2076

LARGO, Md. -- Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) today signed an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to formalize its commitment to energy savings by participating in EPA’s Energy Star Buildings Partnership.

"By participating in one of EPA’s premier partnership programs, the college is showing how much it cares about protecting our environment. This program saves money for the partners and reduces pollution for the planet," said EPA Regional Administrator Bradley M. Campbell.

With the partnership, the college is committing almost 664,000 square feet of space for energy efficiency upgrades. The college has already upgraded 329,000 square feet of its space with energy efficient lighting, which has resulted in annual savings of more than $53,000 per year and an energy savings of 767,000 kilowatt hours per year.

The college’s commitment eliminates 6,600 pounds of carbon dioxide, 28 tons of sulfur dioxide, and 12 tons of nitrogen oxides from the atmosphere. This pollution reduction is the equivalent of removing 600 cars from area roads and planting 1,300 acres of trees. These advances are leading to major reductions of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to smog, acid rain, and global warming.

"We are proud to be part of a program that not only makes economic sense for the college, but protects the environment as well," said college president Ronald Williams. "Energy efficiency is a great start in restoring our planet’s environmental health."

The Energy Star Buildings Partnership, an innovative voluntary program developed by the EPA, aims to reduce pollution by promoting energy-efficient building upgrades. The program stresses partnership with corporations, utilities, non-profit organizations, and state and local governments. Participants promote conversion to energy-efficient technology as a way to reduce electrical usage. The results are financial savings for the partners and less pollution for the planet.

For more information on the Energy Star Buildings Partnership and how to prevent pollution through energy efficiency, call 215-814-2024 or visit EPA’s Web site at www.epa.gov/buildings.




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