Fergus Falls, Minnesota, July 20, 2009 - Today Otter Tail Power Company announced its selection of the University of Minnesota, Crookston, as the winner of the On for Conservation Campus Energy Challenge.
In this first-of-its-kind program, the U of M, Crookston, will work with Otter Tail Power Company to reduce electric energy consumption on campus by as much as 15 percent. "That's an extremely aggressive goal," said Otter Tail Power Company marketing specialist Jon Fabre, "but we envision student leadership grabbing hold and making it work. With the interest we already have seen from the administration we're confident this Campus Energy Challenge will reduce campus energy consumption dramatically and achieve significant cost savings."
University of Minnesota, Crookston, Chancellor Charles H. Casey enthusiastically accepted the challenge on behalf of the students, faculty, and staff. "The goals of Otter Tail Power Company's Campus Energy Challenge fit well with our priorities and goals of establishing a culture of energy efficiency and a more sustainable campus," said Casey. "These goals also are consistent with systemwide sustainability goals established by University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks."
The Campus Energy Challenge will offer rebates and low-interest financing for energy-efficient technologies, redirect student and staff behaviors to enhance conservation efforts, and provide in-depth energy education through audits, consulting, and student scholarships. The challenge is a pilot project that is part of Otter Tail Power Company's Minnesota Conservation Improvement Program for 2009 and 2010 approved by the Minnesota Office of Energy Security last November.
"We also are enthusiastic about the level of student participation that Otter Tail Power Company is looking to develop within this program," said Casey. "Our students are developing their lifestyle habits, including their personal energy use. What better time to impress upon them the cost savings they can gain through simple energy conservation efforts."
Otter Tail Power Company selected the Crookston Campus from four Minnesota colleges that have student housing within the company's service area. The selection process reviewed the total square footage of each campus along with their existing heating and cooling technologies, the number of students living on campus, and the school's overall energy-efficiency potential.
According to Fabre, each campus application showed strong dedication to energy conservation. "One of the objectives of this pilot project is to see what methods work best to reduce energy use," said Fabre. "If this project is as successful as we anticipate, we'd consider offering the opportunity to the other colleges and universities in the future."
Otter Tail Power Company, a subsidiary of Otter Tail Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: OTTR), is headquartered in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. It provides electricity and energy services to more than a quarter million people in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. To learn more about Otter Tail Power Company visit www.otpco.com. To learn more about conserving energy visit www.conservingelectricity.com. To learn more about Otter Tail Corporation visit www.ottertail.com.
Posted with permission from Otter Tail Power Company.
Contact: Cris Kling, director of public relations, Otter Tail Power Company, 218-739-8297; Andrew Svec, director of communications, U of M, Crookston, 218-281-8438, (asvec@umn.edu)
