Crookston, Minn. - A new project brings Otter Tail Power Company and the University of Minnesota, Crookston together in an effort to reduce electric energy consumption on the campus. The project will be formally announced at the dedication of a new residence hall on Friday, October 2, 2009. During the ceremony, which begins at noon in Evergreen Hall, the selection of the U of M, Crookston as the designated campus for Otter Tail Power Company's Campus Energy Challenge will be highlighted. The public is invited to attend.
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. Sustainability is a priority for the U of M, Crookston, and students helped lead the effort for Evergreen Hall to become the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified residence facility in the U of M system. The building's construction focused on minimizing environmental impact and saving energy throughout its development and construction.
A number of dignitaries and special guests will be on campus for the building dedication and energy challenge announcement including the following guest speakers:
Charles H. Casey, chancellor, U of M, Crookston
Clyde Allen, Jr., chair, University of Minnesota Board of Regents
Bernie Lieder, state representative, Minnesota District 01B
Gary Willhite, director of residential life and security services, U of M, Crookston
Thomas Haarstick, president, Crookston Student Association
Chuck MacFarlane, president and CEO, Otter Tail Power Company
Bill Glahn, director, Minnesota Office of Energy Security
Robert Bruininks, president, University of Minnesota
Students, staff, and faculty on the Crookston campus will join Otter Tail Power Company employees to research and analyze current electric energy consumption and develop strategies for reducing their use in 2009; most implementation will occur in 2010. The challenge is a pilot project that is part of Otter Tail Power Company's Minnesota Conservation Improvement Program approved by the Minnesota Office of Energy Security in November 2008.
Together, Otter Tail Power Company and the U of M, Crookston expect to nurture and develop energy efficiency habits that will help everyone on campus save money on their energy bills and model those habits to the Crookston community, other campuses, and the country.
Otter Tail Power Company, a subsidiary of Otter Tail Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: OTTR), is headquartered in Fergus Falls, Minn. 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.
Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 applied-science undergraduate degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; math, science and technology; and natural resources. To learn more, visit www.UMCrookston.edu.
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. Sustainability is a priority for the U of M, Crookston, and students helped lead the effort for Evergreen Hall to become the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified residence facility in the U of M system. The building's construction focused on minimizing environmental impact and saving energy throughout its development and construction.
A number of dignitaries and special guests will be on campus for the building dedication and energy challenge announcement including the following guest speakers:
Charles H. Casey, chancellor, U of M, Crookston
Clyde Allen, Jr., chair, University of Minnesota Board of Regents
Bernie Lieder, state representative, Minnesota District 01B
Gary Willhite, director of residential life and security services, U of M, Crookston
Thomas Haarstick, president, Crookston Student Association
Chuck MacFarlane, president and CEO, Otter Tail Power Company
Bill Glahn, director, Minnesota Office of Energy Security
Robert Bruininks, president, University of Minnesota
Students, staff, and faculty on the Crookston campus will join Otter Tail Power Company employees to research and analyze current electric energy consumption and develop strategies for reducing their use in 2009; most implementation will occur in 2010. The challenge is a pilot project that is part of Otter Tail Power Company's Minnesota Conservation Improvement Program approved by the Minnesota Office of Energy Security in November 2008.
Together, Otter Tail Power Company and the U of M, Crookston expect to nurture and develop energy efficiency habits that will help everyone on campus save money on their energy bills and model those habits to the Crookston community, other campuses, and the country.
Otter Tail Power Company, a subsidiary of Otter Tail Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: OTTR), is headquartered in Fergus Falls, Minn. 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.
Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 applied-science undergraduate degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; math, science and technology; and natural resources. To learn more, visit www.UMCrookston.edu.
Contact: Andrew Svec, director of communications, U of M, Crookston, 218-281-8438, (asvec@umn.edu); Cris Kling, director of public relations, Otter Tail Power Company, 218-739-8297
