Pine Bluff, Arkansas (February 16, 2024) – University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) and Summit Utilities Arkansas (Summit) are proud to announce an energy efficiency partnership that led to UAPB receiving nearly $40,000 back in rebates. In 2023, UAPB installed energy efficient tankless hot water heaters and boilers throughout different buildings across campus. UAPB took advantage of Summit Utilities’ Energy Efficiency Programs, which allows organizations to earn rebates that help offset the cost of energy-efficient natural gas equipment upgrades.
“We are pleased to be able to partner with Summit in making UAPB a more energy-efficient campus,” said George Cotton, UAPB Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement. “As an educational leader for the region, we take seriously our role in helping to reduce the impact of our energy footprint on society.”
“At Summit, our communities come first, and we are glad to assist UAPB with their energy efficient natural gas solutions while guiding the school through our rebate programs,” said Jose Laboy, Summit’s Energy Efficiency manager. “Not only is UAPB getting the energy efficient rebates, but they will also see a significant cost savings on their monthly natural gas bill.”
The project involved the installation of 21 tankless water heaters, for which UAPB secured a rebate incentive totaling $10,500. UAPB also upgraded five high-efficiency heating boilers in the Business and Fine Arts buildings that earned the University a rebate incentive of $28,441. UAPB’s upgrades will reduce its energy consumption by 11,000 CCF of natural gas per year. According to the EPA Greenhouse Gas Calculator, this is equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions avoided by 20.5 tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled. UAPB is dedicated to sustainable initiatives and plans to use the rebates to install more energy efficient appliances throughout campus.
To learn more about Summit’s energy efficiency programs for residential customers, visit https://summitutilities.com/residential/residential-rebates-efficiency-programs.
For more information about Summit’s energy efficiency programs for commercial and industrial customers, visit https://summitutilities.com/commercial/commercial-rebates-efficiency-programs.
Background on the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is an 1890 Land-Grant HBCU with a diverse student population, competitive degree offerings, and stellar faculty. For 150 years, UAPB has worked to create an environment that emphasizes learning, growth, and productivity while affording a basic need to its students: a chance to advance. UAPB offers certificate and associate degree programs, more than 50 undergraduate and master’s degree programs, and a doctoral program in Aquaculture/Fisheries. Students are active in more than 100 organizations, including an internationally renowned Vesper Choir, Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South Band, Concert Bands, Wind Symphony, and an accomplished athletics program.
Background on Summit Utilities, Inc.
Summit Utilities, Inc. owns natural gas distribution subsidiaries that operate in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. The company provides safe, reliable and affordable natural gas to businesses and residents in six states through Arkansas Oklahoma Gas, Colorado Natural Gas, Summit Natural Gas of Maine, Summit Natural Gas of Missouri, Summit Utilities Arkansas, and Summit Utilities Oklahoma. Each of Summit’s natural gas distribution and transmission subsidiaries constructs and installs natural gas distribution systems with the goal of supporting economic development by providing safe and reliable natural gas to residential and commercial customers through exceptional customer service and commitment to community. Overall, Summit entities serve approximately 625,000 customers and operate more than 23,400 miles of pipeline.
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