The Medical University of South Carolina, College of Charleston, The Citadel and Trident Technical College have all together been awarded almost $3 million in federal economic stimulus funds by the South Carolina Budget and Control Board’s State Energy Office to make energy efficiency improvements.

The Medical University of South Carolina received $1,607,734 to make improvements to the hot water heater in the Clinical Sciences Building and steam lines in the Hollings Cancer Center. These improvements will help the university save more than $133,000 annually in utility costs.

The College of Charleston received $639,000 to install energy management controls on heating and air conditioning units in J.C Long Building, Simons Center for the Arts, Lightsey Center and Randolph Hall. Installing these control systems will help the college save more than $163,000 annually in energy utility costs.
 
The Citadel received $448,567 to make energy efficiency improvements to heating and air conditioning units throughout the campus, saving the college more than $87,000 annually.

Trident Technical College received $221,881 to upgrade lighting controls in offices, classrooms and labs in multiple buildings on three campuses and install energy efficient lighting fixtures. These improvements will help Trident Technical College save more than $54,000 annually in energy costs.

 “All four institutions will use these grants to reduce energy use and save substantial amounts on their utility bills,” said John Clark, director of the South Carolina Energy Office. “After the projects are implemented, taxpayers will win because of reduced energy costs, and the environment wins because of reduced energy use.”

The state’s public colleges and universities are receiving a total of $12.2 million, and state agencies are getting $7.4 million for energy efficiency improvements. The state’s 85 school districts are sharing $20.3 million in grants and loans for energy efficiency.