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Jefferson County Community College

Jefferson County

Jefferson County highlighted on a map of New York State over a green and white bokeh dot background.
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Badge reading "Clean Green Campuses Achiever, A New York State Energy Initiative"

Jefferson County Community college striving for excellence in clean energy solutions

A Leader in the SUNY Community

Jefferson Community College, located in Watertown, New York, has long been recognized among its peers for committing to environmental excellence. Several clean energy solutions were implemented on campus over the past decade, proving that sustainability is a core value. The college became a signatory of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment and developed a Climate Neutrality Plan.

The college joined the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Clean Green Campuses and immediately pursued new projects to continue meeting their financial, environmental, academic, and community goals. With funding from NYSERDA, Trane, Inc. — an HVAC services and solutions provider — was brought on to identify innovative energy management solutions to maximize annual savings and continue to showcase campus sustainability.

Student Enrollment: 2,200 FTE

Institution Type: 2-Year Community College

Institution Size: 285,297 gross sq.ft.

Location: Watertown, New York

Project Successes

  • 41% greenhouse gas emissions reduction five years ahead of schedule
  • 14.8% energy use reduction 
  • $69,000 in energy cost savings
  • 271 metric tons of CO2 emissions reduction
  • 23% reduction overall for electricity and gas
Group of students standing and talking in front of a Jefferson Community College building.

Focusing on Success

Trane reviewed existing energy data to establish a baseline, conducted ASHRAE Level 1 and Level 2 audits of campus buildings, analyzed energy conservation measures and subsequent recommendations, and completed retro-commissioning of the building automation systems. In addition, with Trane’s assistance, two more projects were completed by students—inventorying mechanical system components and inspecting building envelopes using thermal imaging.

To further capitalize on opportunities identified through the energy study, the college participated in NYSERDA’s On-site Energy Manager program (OsEM), which covers a percentage of costs for hiring an energy-focused on-site manager. The college hired a part-time OsEM, who was tasked with creating a long-term energy management plan, focusing on achieving energy goals, operational savings, maximizing building efficiencies, carbon footprint reduction, and promoting campus-wide sustainability.

Exceeding Project Goals

Participating in these programs led to unprecedented success in energy reduction, greenhouse gas mitigation, and cost savings. The college hopes this type of work will be replicated by other campuses. The results are easily measurable, the methodology easily transferrable, and all supporting data and reports are available to other educational institutions through the SUNY Energy Office, ACUPCC website, and AASHE Sustainability Hub.

The electricity peak demand on campus has gone from more than 700 kW to an average level 450 kW, despite adding 30,000 square feet of new buildings. And, the college has no plans to slow down on saving energy costs and reducing emissions across campus. Focused on the future, they’ve set a goal become a net zero campus by 2045. 

Students walking on the Jefferson Community College campus with clock tower in background.
 

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Discover how to achieve large energy and carbon reductions accross your campus.
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