The University of Maine System’s Board of Trustees approved $2.3 million worth of obligation bond funds for energy efficiency upgrades of Gorham’s Bailey Hall and Portland’s Luther Bonney Hall and Science Building.
The Board of Trustees has approved $800,000 worth of energy upgrades and renovations for Bailey Hall, $700,000 for the Science Building and $875,000 for Luther Bonney Hall. General obligation bonds that were approved by Maine voters in June 2010 will fund the renovations.
General obligation bonds are municipal bonds secured by the state’s promise to repay bond holders. The bonds are used to finance projects or activities that must be approved by voters.
USM hired several contractors to conduct energy audits on the buildings scheduled for renovation. Harriman Associates performed an energy audit on Bailey Hall. Luther Bonney Hall received an energy assessment by Colby Company and the Science Building was audited by Allied Engineering. They found a lack of accurate control devices, which makes it difficult to achieve maximum energy efficiency.
The renovations will replace the current lighting systems in each structure with high efficiency components and equip the buildings with automated energy management and monitoring systems.
The Science Building is facing significant energy efficiency upgrades to its deteriorating roofing system that currently suffers from water infiltration and heat loss. New roofs will grace the A-wing of the Science Building, and the agenda also includes new high efficiency chillers to replace the inefficient chillers currently installed.
Student Body President Ashley Willems-Phaneuf was a vocal supporter of the bonds. “Getting the students to go out and vote for something that would benefit their university is important,” said Willems-Phaneuf. In an effort to rally student voters, she also wrote an editorial in the Sun Journal in May stressing the importance of energy efficiency and lowering energy costs at USM. She said she believes students who voted for the bonds will appreciate seeing the benefits of their voting once the renovations are complete.
Bob Bertram, executive director of facilities management, said although USM was obligated to use the bond money for conserving energy, it was the university’s decision of where to spend it.
Bertram said he anticipates the new energy efficient quality of the buildings will improve USM’s learning environment.
“I certainly hope they notice a difference in comfort levels on campus,” said Bertram.
According to Bertram, the renovations should not affect USM students very much as the project is scheduled to begin after commencement and finish before September.
This is a start, albeit a backwards approach.
How was it decided to overlook upgrading the thousands of square feet of single-pane glass curtain walls on all three of those environmental disasters? We spend $2.3M of taxpayer-financed money to get buildings better at managing the brutal influx of hot and cold air through antique windows + doors??
Was USGBC LEED – EB (existing Buildings) consulted and additional grants sought? If so, the decision makers would have learned that any serious energy management policy starts with the building ENVELOPE, not the system management. Cutting demand and creating occupant comfort starts with insulation, doors + windows + proper ventilation.
Finally, why is there no solar energy programming included in this process? With grants and rebates, it can be installed at virtually NO COST to the university!
This is a patch job. All of these building need MAJOR overhauls. I’m talking compleetly gutting them and starting from bare bones. They need new heating systems, windows and classroom space way more than they need new lights!