The University of Wisconsin-Platteville was honored on June 6 for its ongoing commitment to sustainability by Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide energy efficiency and renewable resources program. Representatives presented UW-Platteville Chancellor Tammy Evetovich with the 2023 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award, recognizing the university for taking extraordinary steps to work with both Focus on Energy and Alliant Energy to reduce energy waste and consumption on campus.
“It’s no small task to undertake this and make it a priority,” said Chancellor Evetovich, thanking the UW-Platteville facilities team. “This is something we prioritize and it is something that is important to us.”
Chancellor Evetovich went on to mention two projects that exemplify the university’s commitment to sustainability: Sesquicentennial Hall – soon to be the university’s first LEED-certified building – and the solar array.
“These are just two examples of how we have leaned into our role here, and we are investing in a cleaner environment and more efficient future,” said Chancellor Evetovich. “Partnerships with Focus on Energy and Alliant Energy are invaluable to this university. We are grateful for the support and recognition provided by Focus on Energy, and we look forward to many more great projects for years to come.”
Created more than two decades ago, the Focus on Energy program partners with Wisconsin’s utilities, like Alliant Energy, to provide resources to customers to perform energy efficiency and cost savings upgrades.
In 2021, UW-Platteville received an Energy Innovation Planning grant from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin’s Office of Energy Innovation to develop a comprehensive energy management plan. UW-Platteville developed an energy team, including an energy advisor from Focus on Energy, to create and execute a plan to reduce energy costs, build energy resiliency and reduce greenhouse emissions. The overall goal of the grant was to formulate a plan to reduce the university’s scope of greenhouse gas emissions 30% by 2025, and the campus is actively working toward the goal.
Joe Kottwitz is an energy advisor with the Focus on Energy program, who has worked with UW-Platteville the past year.
“When I came on board, I immediately saw that the university embeds energy efficiency into their culture,” said. Kottwitz. “As facilities plans more over time and project scopes develop, energy efficiency is the top priority in creating a better built environment here.”
For more information on UW-Platteville’s commitment to sustainability initiatives, visit www.uwplatt.edu/department/sustainability.