Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced today that the Senate Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee has approved the FY11 Appropriations Bill, which includes $700,000 for Fordham University in the Bronx. The funding will be used to purchase and install a new “green” energy efficient chiller plant at Fordham’s Rose Hill Campus, helping to reduce the University’s carbon footprint and ease the burden on the borough’s electricity and power supply. Senator Gillibrand worked with members of the Appropriations Committee to include funding for the project in this year’s spending bill.
“This investment in the Bronx and Fordham University brings us one step closer to becoming more energy efficient and reducing energy costs,” Senator Gillibrand said. “These federal dollars will help create jobs, green Fordham University’s campus, and reduce the burden on the borough’s utility grid.”
During this month’s heat wave, thousands of Bronx residents were without electricity for days. The installation of a green chiller plant, which will cool and dehumidify the air at Fordham University’s Rose Hill campus, will generate on-site power that will take more than 180 kilowatt hours of electricity off the Bronx utility grid, lessening the burden on the borough’s electrical system. This project will also create approximately 50 good-paying jobs and reflects both the Obama administration and Senator Gillibrand’s commitment to energy efficiency.
Yesterday, the Appropriations Bill for the Energy and Water Subcommittee passed the full committee. The legislation will head to the floor for a full vote before the Senate. The bill will then move towards Conference with the House and then to the President for signature.