Energy rebates save LTCC thousands of dollars

Liberty Utilities will present a check for $17,085.85 to the Lake Tahoe Community College board on Sept. 9 at 6:15pm.

The check represents the total of all incentive rebates the college is eligible to receive based on energy efficiency improvements it has made since 2013.

Liberty Utilities offers an energy efficiency program to residential and commercial customers. The comprehensive Schools Program provides technical reviews to identify potential energy savings measures and provides schools with technical assistance to get projects implemented. The Schools Program, as well as other energy efficiency programs, are required and approved by the California Public Utilities Commission. The goal of the program is to help customers reduce their energy consumption which saves them money, as well as help the utility manage customer demand. Another benefit of energy efficiency programs is the positive impact it has upon the environment.

Since 2013, LTCC has implemented five  improvement projects utilizing energy efficiency lighting. These projects include lighting retrofits in the library, the gym and Child Development Center and exterior lighting upgrades in the parking lot and sculpture display in addition to other miscellaneous locations around campus. All projects resulted in total estimated savings of nearly 114,000 kwh per year — enough to provide electricity to nearly 16 California homes. The improvements will result in an annual energy savings to the college estimated at $12,412 in addition to the one-time rebate of $17,085.85.