NIU hopes to save about $600,000 per year after replacing equipment in the West Heating Plant.

Bob Albanese, associate vice president of Finance and Facilities, said the plant, located near Lincoln and Douglas halls, was upgraded to be more efficient and use less energy.

The construction project cost about $5 million – with $2 million funded by state and university money.

“We replaced the equipment with more efficient equipment,” Albanese said. “Equipment from 20 to 30 years ago is not going to work that great.”

The university used a performance contract, which allows it to pay for energy-saving improvements.

According to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, NIU accounts for about half of the $6.2 million in savings that comes from such contracts at universities across the state.

Rep. Robert Pritchard said he doubts NIU will get more money for similar projects.

“The governor doesn’t value higher education,” Pritchard said. “That is obvious from last year’s budget and the proposal from this year.”

In 2001, NIU received approval for the Campus Chilled Water Production and Distribution project by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. NIU has received about half of its funds for the project.

The money will be used for new air conditioning equipment that could save NIU about $250,000 a year.

Albanese said he was unsure how much NIU would receive for such projects next year.