Submitted photoMeridian Community College staffer Pete Willis, who coordinates MCC's energy conservation efforts, checks gages on equipment on campus. The college recently reached a milestone in its energy conservation efforts.

Meridian Community College recently reached a major milestone in its energy conservation efforts, eclipsing the $2 million mark in cost savings, according to Scott Elliott, MCC president.

The local college initiated an energy savings program in May of 2011 with a goal of avoiding $3 million in energy costs – electricity, gas, water – over a 10-year period. MCC engaged a company named Energy Education (which later became Cenergistic) to establish an energy conservation program, involving infrastructure improvements (such as digital thermostats, LED lighting and window tinting) and a software monitoring system that gauges monthly savings.

“I am gratified that the college is well ahead of schedule in attaining our $3 million goal,” Elliott said. “It has been a total team effort involving all of our employees. Some sacrifices have to be made, such as accepting a little higher temperature thermostat setting in warm weather months and a little colder temperature setting in the winter. Also, things that might be considered small potatoes like making sure to turn your office lights and computer off when you leave for the day mount up over time. It’s been an educational process for all of us, heightening awareness of cost-savings opportunities. It’s all about commitment and diligence.”

Elliott credited Pete Willis, who coordinates MCC’s energy conservation effort, for much of the program’s success.

“Every worthy endeavor requires a leader,” Elliott said, “and Pete has been that leader for MCC on this project. In fact, he’s been more than a leader; he’s been a cheerleader – encouraging his colleagues to get on board with this campus-wide initiative and daily monitoring the progress we’re making in all areas. Pete is kind of our gatekeeper on energy, and you’ve got to have someone in that role for a program of this nature to succeed.”

Elliott said Willis does more than monitor energy-related activities on campus. He assists in the planning of optimizing building utilization as well as automatically shutting down and bringing back up HVAC systems in accordance with class schedules and other activities. Moreover, Willis makes recommendations on new energy-saving measures and serves on a committee in the planning of any new buildings to advocate for cost avoidance elements of the project.

“I am proud of Pete and our entire MCC family on this project,” Elliott said. “We are operating during an era when the state is struggling to fully fund its public education agencies. So, anything we can do to stretch those public dollars is a good thing. The money we save on energy can well be used to support other components of the institution.”