Winthrop gets stimulus money for energy efficiency

From Staff Reports - The Herald

Winthrop University will receive $416,476 in federal stimulus assistance to replace an underground steam line that runs through the Peabody field on Alumni Drive. Construction on replacing portions of the 418-foot line started last month and is expected to last until early 2010.

Winthrop officials applied for energy efficiency funding through the S.C. Energy Office. About $312,000 will be a grant, and the remaining $100,000 is a no-interest loan.

Energy cost savings on the line are estimated at $33,000 annually so the loan will be quickly repaid, according to Walter Hardin, associate vice president for facilities management.

The line supplies steam to nine buildings on the campus. It was constructed without insulation decades ago, and by 21st century standards wastes energy, Hardin added. The construction will preserve 12 jobs for the contractor during the replacement work.