SEMO OKs contract to improve A/C

Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents Friday approved a $1.15 million contract to make enough modifications and repairs to allow the university to cool the new residence hall and the power plant to generate electricity.

The regents also agreed to pay the same company $68,220 to do a detailed energy audit with an eye towards upgrading the university's aging heating and cooling system.

Johnson Controls, Inc., awarded the preliminary repair contract, was chosen from five companies who bid.

McClure Engineering Inc. acted as an independent consultant, aiding the selection committee in its choice.

Mark Graves, spokesman for Johnson Controls, said his corporation may be able to save the university close to $30 million dollars in energy costs over 20 years, beginning in fiscal year 2004.

Vice president for administration Pauline Fox said a performance contract would include recouping energy savings and planned replacement of certain major items.

Johnson Controls' preliminary cash flow analysis shows university's energy maintenance budget breaking about even the first 10 years after the overhaul, estimated to cost $15,662,892. That figure includes the initial $1.15 million repairs and audit costs.

Some improvements would pay for themselves in energy savings while others have just been made necessary due to campus growth, Fox said.

The project would include campus-wide improvements, modifications to chilled water loops, boiler plant improvements, staff development training, testing and guarantee management.

After 10 years, the project will be paid for, so the costs will go down, Graves said.

The immediate repairs include replacing chillers in the central and south loop system that are between 26 and 39 years old, as well as a 25-year-old cooling tower. The average life span for the products are between 20 and 25 years.

The company will also refurbish a chiller at McQuay, cooling towers in Grauel and Kent Library and repair a turbine in the boiler plant.

In other business, the board:

Approved a master of arts degree in higher education administration.

Approved the appointment of Kathy Mangels to the position of assistant treasurer.

Approved a title change from Manufacturing Technology Resource Center to Technology Resource Center.

abuchanan@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160