Johnson C. Smith University – Jon Yee – 2009

Goals

Jon Yee was enlisted as an EDF Climate Corps fellow at Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), a historically black campus in Charlotte, North Carolina. In early 2009, JCSU has developed an energy management plan to assess energy usage, buildings and equipment on campus. Yee was asked to analyze the plan and expanded it, prioritizing energy efficiency measures based on the expected impact, level of investment, expected payback period and ease of implementation. He also explored ways for JCSU to promote environmental sustainability and leadership on campus.

Solutions

Yee identified a variety of energy efficiency projects that JCSU could undertake to cut costs and carbon emissions. The high priority recommendations included sub-metering to allow evaluation and prioritization for HVAC upgrades, formation of a Sustainability Committee and concentrated summer residence hall usage. These are high impact projects that require little or no capital expenditure.

Yee also investigated steps toward LEED certification and determined easily attainable credits in Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Materials and Resources, Energy and Atmosphere, and Indoor Environmental Air Quality. A LEED certified building at JCSU would bring positive attention to the university’s sustainability efforts, while saving energy costs in the long run.

Potential Impact

Implementing Yee’s projects could save the university $220,000 per year in energy costs, which is a 25 percent reduction in costs from 2008, or 2.3 million kWh annually. The university could also avoid 1,204 tons of carbon emissions per year.