Two College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) buildings were recognized at an awards ceremony on April 24 for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Energy Conservation Incentive Program (ECIP). The event honored award recipients for both the 2022 and 2023 academic years. 

ECIP provides awards to campus buildings that demonstrate the greatest percentage of energy savings over the previous fiscal year. Buildings compete in one of two categories: occupant action and energy advancement. Occupant action includes things building users can do themselves to reduce energy use collectively. Energy advancement includes energy conservation improvements to the building itself, such as optimizing heating and air conditioning systems and controls. 

For 2022, the ACES Library, Information and Alumni Center (known as LIAC, or the ACES Library) received recognition in the energy advancement category for a 46%  improvement in energy conservation, which equates to $153,699 cost avoidance. For 2023, the Stock Pavilion was third in the energy advancement category with a 28.86% improvement in energy conservation, which is $14,000 in cost avoidance.

The ECIP was developed as a way to recognize efforts that move the university closer to reaching its Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) goals. iCAP is the strategic plan for how the Urbana-Champaign campus will meet the "Climate Leadership Commitments" — to be carbon neutral as soon as possible and to build resilience with the local community. 

“I am really proud of the efforts represented by these two awards and the faculty and staff who made this recognition possible,” said College of ACES Dean Germán Bollero. “These awards demonstrate great momentum in our commitment to more sustainable practices across the college.”