$130K in rebates for SCCC’s STEM center

Suffolk County Community College earned more than $130,000 in energy efficiency rebates from PSEG Long Island for conserving energy and considering the environment in its new Renewable Energy STEM center. 

The rebated projects include ground-source VRF heat pumps, LED lighting, enhanced insulation and an advanced building management system. So far, nearly $85,000 has been awarded, with the additional $48,000 to be rebated in the near future. 

The building, which is part of the Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood, was created “net zero,” which means the energy required to power, illuminate, heat, cool and ventilate the building will be equal to or less than the energy produced from its renewable sources.

“Our new STEM building is a clean and green energy laboratory,” Suffolk County Community College President Edward Bonahue said in a written statement. “The energy-saving installation of ground-source variable refrigerant flow heat pumps, LED lighting, enhanced insulation, and an advanced building management system allows our students, and the whole community, to learn about the value of clean energy and the latest technologies in real time, as we prepare them for the clean energy sector jobs of the future.”

Michael Voltz, director of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for PSEG Long Island commended the college for setting an example for its students and the community by creating the net-zero building.

“Installing equipment to power, heat and cool the building using the earth and the sun will save the college thousands of dollars in energy costs,” Voltz said. “The decision to go green will conserve energy for our immediate and long-term future.”