Winthrop University and York Technical College have been awarded federal economic stimulus funds by the South Carolina Budget and Control Board’s State Energy Office to make energy efficiency improvements.

Winthrop University received $416,476 to replace underground steam piping that supplies the north campus. This improvement will help the university save more than $45,000 annually in energy costs.
 
York Technical College received $147,055 to add heat recovery devices to the ventilation system at the Science and Technology Building’s laboratory, saving the college more than $14,000 annually.

“Both institutions will see significant reductions in energy utility bills as a result of the planned improvements,” said John Clark, director of the South Carolina Energy Office.

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.