Citrus College receives sustainability award

Citrus College has once again been recognized as a leader in sustainability, earning an Excellence in Energy and Sustainability Award from the California Community Colleges Board of Governors.

The college recently won Best Innovative Project for a medium-sized community college district for the modernization of its Educational Development (ED) Center. Slated to reopen for classroom instruction in fall 2023, the building will exceed California Energy Commission standards and save more than 170,000 kilowatt hours of energy per year.

"For years, Citrus College has been committed to implementing sustainable practices that provide both short- and long-term benefits to the campus community," said Dr. Greg Schulz, superintendent/president of Citrus College. "Being recognized for this project is a tremendous honor, as it validates the work of our employees, who have dedicated themselves to helping us address the sustainability challenges of the future."

Prior to the modernization, the two-story ED Center consumed a high amount of electricity, due in part to aged lighting systems and vintage air-handling equipment. By incorporating sustainable and efficient design, as well as building automation and energy management systems, the modernized structure will require far less energy than in the past. Total consumption is expected to drop from 12.1 to 6.8 kilowatt hours per square foot per year.

Moreover, the ED Center will house testing and writing centers, state-of-the-art science laboratories, and classroom space. It is also engineered to be Zero Net Energy (ZNE) ready.

Citrus College worked with Westberg White Architecture and Pezeshki Engineering, Inc., on the $14.4 million project. Approximately one-third of the project cost was funded from the Measure G general obligation bond, while the remainder was funded from the Citrus Community College District's capital outlay fund.

Created in 2012, the Board of Governors Energy and Sustainability Awards are divided into three categories: Excellence in Energy and Sustainability – Innovative Project; Excellence in Energy and Sustainability – Faculty/Student Initiatives; and Excellence in Energy and Sustainability – Sustainability Champion.

Two years ago, the college also won Best Innovative Project for a medium-sized community college district following a series of retro-commissioning projects in the college's central plant and 12 largest buildings on campus.

"On behalf of the board, I want to congratulate Citrus College and its staff for receiving this incredible honor," said Laura J. Bollinger, president of the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees. "The college's ongoing commitment to sustainability is impressive. As we think of serving future generations, we must continue being good stewards of our natural resources and environment. I believe this project is a great example of how we are working together to build a better tomorrow."