ELCA News Blog
June 29, 2009  

ELCA's St. Olaf College awarded for energy efficiency

by Carrie Draeger, ELCA News Service

St. Olaf College was named Minnesota's second most energy efficient business by Xcel Energy.  The public utility company recognized 10 companies and organizations for their efforts to conserve energy.  St. Olaf, located in Northfield, Minn., is one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

St. Olaf saved 6.91 million kilowatt-hours of electricity last year. The other recipients for electric efficiency saved a combined 80 million kilowatt-hours of electricity -- enough to power 36 big box retail stores, Xcel said in a recent press release.  St. Olaf was also awarded the top spot for natural gas efficiency with 417,840 therms saved.

The bulk of St. Olaf's energy savings came from Regents Hall -- a new 200,000 square-foot science building.  The building uses lighting and temperature control systems that reduce energy use in empty spaces, fewer fume hoods, and reflective roofing materials that reduces the need for air conditioning.  All reduce energy consumption, according to the St. Olaf Web page on the building.