Gov. Jim Doyle joined University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh officials at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new academic building Friday.
According to a statement released Friday by Doyle’s office, UW-Oshkosh’s new academic building works toward standards set by an executive order signed by Doyle in 2006. The order mandates all existing and new state buildings should comply with high environmental and energy efficiency standards.
“The UW-Oshkosh project will support our efforts to grow northeastern Wisconsin and ensure we can meet the growing demand for higher education,” Doyle said in the statement. “Our world-class universities have always been the engines that drive Wisconsin.”
The new $37 million building is the first new academic building to be constructed at UW-Oshkosh in over 35 years and will generate more than 2,000 jobs over the next three years, according to the statement.
The statement also said the new building cost $10 million less than what was projected by the state because of competitive bids. The state will use part of the savings for other renewable energy projects, allowing 14 percent of the building’s energy to come from green sources.
The building will be 191,000 square feet and is set to host 14 academic departments, the statement said.
The energy efficiency methods of the new building are projected to reduce energy use by 45 percent, according to the statement. Among the building design’s green practices are the use of recycled and renewable materials and the implementation of water efficiency and solar collecting devices.
The UW-Oshkosh statement also said by following these standards, the university will save more than $182,000 per year with this project for a total of $6 million in savings for the building’s lifetime.
According to a statement released by UW-Oshkosh last week, the university’s new structure will follow Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design “gold” regulations.
LEED is a renowned green building certification system with many levels that helps prove a building is designed and built with strategies that ensure energy and water efficiency, carbon emissions reductions and improved indoor environmental quality.
The funding for the new academic building stems from the 2007-09 biennium budget, the Doyle statement said.
Sen. Robert Jauch, D-Poplar, a member of the Committee on Education, said it is very crucial for the state to keep up energy efficiency projects.
“Even in the most difficult fiscal times, it is important to make investments which create jobs, strengthen education and prepare the state for the future,” Jauch said.
Chair of the Committee on Environment Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona, agreed with the need for efficient energy practices in the state and said the state and its universities are leaders in green practices.
Alan Fish, associate vice chancellor for University of Wisconsin-Madison Facilities Planning and Management, said UW has many projects similar to UW-Oshkosh’s academic center.
“Almost every building in the last two years has some level of LEED standards,” Fish said. “They more than meet the governor’s standard for 30 percent reduction.”
