MILWAUKEE — Johnson Controls Inc. has been awarded the first higher education Clinton Climate Initiative project — Lee College in Baytown, Texas. Lee College is the first signed contract for a higher education institution under the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI).

When complete, all 35 of Lee College’s facilities will be retrofitted. Specific improvements include adding a building management system and installing energy-efficient HVAC and lighting products. Upon completion, total electric consumption will be reduced by approximately 35 percent and energy and water costs will be reduced by 32 percent.

Lee College just recently signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). ACUPCC and CCI are partnering to increase the number of large-scale energy-saving retrofits for campus buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy bills without utilizing capital budgets or increasing monthly operating expenses.

“This project will result in cost and energy savings for the college and improve the environment for our students and faculty,” said Dennis Topper, Ph.D., Lee College interim president. “We chose to work with Johnson Controls because of its proven global track record.”

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, buildings account for up to 40 percent of global energy use.

“Businesses of all types, globally and in every market segment, are actively fighting rising energy costs, and energy efficiency is becoming their primary measurable action,” said Clay Nesler, vice president of global energy and sustainability for Johnson Controls. “Our work with Lee College demonstrates what can be done to advance building efficiency and save energy.”

For more information, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com.

Publication date: 02/23/2009