Lakehead University's Facility Renewal Project: Union Gas Recognizes Green Initiative with $71,783 <i>Energywise</i> Incentive

(October 19, 2007 --Thunder Bay, ON) Lakehead University has received a cheque for $71,783 from Union Gas in recognition of its focus on energy efficiency, evidenced by the Institution's Facility Renewal Project. Energywise is a program that promotes the efficient use of natural gas to Union Gas' large commercial industrial customers.

"This incentive recognizes Lakehead University's commitment to high efficiency, under its recent Facility Renewal Project," explains Hugh Briggs, Manager of Mechanical and Electrical Systems at Lakehead University's Physical Plant. In conjunction with Lakehead's Facility Renewal Project, the University's Centennial Building, Fieldhouse, Avila Centre, and University Centre saw improvements in building heating ventilation systems, process heat recovery, insulation, new high-efficiency equipment installations, and a 40 percent reduction to its energy consumption levels. "The various stages of this project have subsequently resulted in lower annual utility costs, annual natural gas savings, and a healthier indoor environment for our students, staff, and faculty," Briggs notes.

The $71,783 arrives in concert with National Waste Reduction week, and will help offset some costs that Lakehead University incurred when making energy efficient upgrades from 2006 - 2007.

"Union Gas' Energywise program directs investments into new and retrofitted energy efficient equipment, technologies, and training for large commercial industrial customers," says Ruth Dekker, Manager, Industrial Demand Side Management, Union Gas Limited. "We are pleased to partner with Lakehead University to help the Institution lower its energy consumption and realize significant cost savings."

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Media: Hugh Briggs and Ruth Dekker are available for media interview. Please contact Heather Scott to arrange an appropriate interview time with Hugh. Ruth Dekker can be reached directly at 519-436-4600 ext. 4588 or by cell at 519-365-0927.

If you have any questions regarding this media release, please contact:
Heather Scott, Communications Officer, 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca
Eleanor Abaya, Director of Communications, 807-343-8372 or eabaya@lakeheadu.ca

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,700 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the NorthernOntarioSchool of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead UniversityCanada's ResearchUniversity of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on LakeheadUniversity, visit www.lakeheadu.ca