DeKALB | NIU’s Physical Plant will shut down air conditioning in all campus buildings today from 2 to 3 p.m.

Rich Lovell, assistant chief engineer of the West Campus Heating Plant, said the plant will be performing a curtailment for ComEd, which is a reduction in energy usage. The benefits of the curtailment include saving energy, and helping to meet the budget.

Lovell said the plant has been performing this curtailment every year for the past few years.

Paul Callighan, external affairs director for ComEd, said large customers such as NIU typically sign agreements to voluntarily reduce energy usage to avoid costlier generation of energy during peak hours. In exchange, NIU receives a discount on pricing for energy in the future.