USC Union has been awarded $24,118 in federal economic stimulus funds by the South Carolina Budget and Control Board’s State Energy Office to make energy efficiency improvements.

The college will upgrade lighting fixtures in the Central Library Building and replace incandescent exit emergency lights with LED models.

“Upgrading lighting fixtures is one of the best ways to regain energy costs,” said John Clark, director of the South Carolina Energy Office. “These improvements will help USC Union save more than $4,000 annually in utility costs.”

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.