SCC received a Public Buildings and Energy Efficiency Retrofit grant from the Missouri
Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $187,718, funded by the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The funds were part of a joint grant request
with the Economic Development Center of St. Charles County, Duckett Creek Sanitary
District and the city of Cottleville, Mo. SCC will use the funds for three projects
that will increase energy efficiency at SCC: a high efficiency hot water boiler, advanced
control valves to improve the efficiency of the chilled water cooling system, and
sensors to control the lighting, heating and cooling systems for classrooms.
The DNR grant, combined with a $24,964 grant from Laclede Gas Company, a natural
gas utility for St. Louis, and a college match of $302,259, will cover the $514,941
cost of the three projects. The projects will be implemented during fiscal year 2010-11.
The savings realized will provide a projected payback in less than five years.
Green Projects
New brown rubber mulch made from recycled tires is being used in some college parking
lot islands, improving the appearance and eliminating the cost of replacement in the
foreseeable future.
A new “Team Green” committee, headed by Chris Breitmeyer, dean of math, science and
health, has secured membership with the Association for Advancement of Sustainability
in Higher Education and is taking steps toward achieving a more sustainable campus
community.
The team is preparing for campus-wide single stream recycling this fall and has secured
a $25,000 grant from the St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District to pay
for the bins, liners, composters and educational campaign. A fall kick-off event,
“Sustainapalooza!” is planned for Aug. 31-Sept. 2 on campus.
“Not only are we being good environmental citizens, but we are doing it at a cost
savings to the college,” said Breitmeyer.
Future plans are to incorporate native plants and more natural vegetation on campus.
To learn more, contact Breitmeyer at cbreitmeyer@stchas.edu.
Outdoor Classroom
An outdoor classroom is planned for development in Rabbit Run Park, located in St.
Peters, Mo., one mile north of campus. Through a partnership with the city of St.
Peters, the site will be a resource for SCC science, art, English and physical education
classes and for local schools and community groups to make connections with nature.
The 90 acres of land to be used by SCC will be kept natural and will be used to grow
plants and trees representative of the different environments across Missouri. The
city will maintain ownership of the park, including its existing facilities and trails.
The site will support learning and undergraduate research. A basic, sustainable structure
eventually will be built in the park to provide a place for classes to meet and to
be used as an observatory for research-grade telescopes.
With $50,000 earmarked by SCC for development of the outdoor classroom, SCC currently
is pursuing grants to help fund the project. Some use of the outdoor classroom is
planned for this summer.
St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college
with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and
career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal
and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities.
For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.
