$60,000 donation from Sun Club provides solar energy to community college campus
Farmers Branch, TX- The Green Mountain Energy™ Sun Club™ donated $60,000 to Brookhaven College to fund the college campus’ first solar arrays, ensuring the futures of Brookhaven students are even brighter. Brookhaven College will also receive an educational display to teach students how the arrays produce energy, allowing the college to expand its environmental curriculum. The Sun Club is a unique program enabling Green Mountain Energy Company’s residential customers, including many in the Dallas County area, to donate solar power to non-profits and schools, like Brookhaven College.
Founded in 1978, Brookhaven College is one of the seven colleges of the Dallas County Community College District. The college is dedicated to reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, and the installation of these solar arrays from the Sun Club will help them achieve those reductions. The college is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, focused on teaching their students and community to make a commitment to improving the environment.
“This generous donation from the Sun Club will not only help us reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, but also help us teach our students about the importance of sustainable energy sources, and solar in particular,” said Thom D. Chesney, president, Brookhaven College. “Providing quality educational programs to our students is central to our mission, and these solar arrays will provide outstanding learning opportunities and experiences to enhance our strategic goals."
One of the arrays will be located at the college’s Geotechnology Institute, established on the campus to promote Earth Systems science education for professional geoscientists through seminars and industry events. The college was selected as a recipient based on the curriculum’s focus on energy education. An energy use monitor will be installed in conjunction with the array, and will be used as a direct teaching tool for students and visitors. Another solar array will provide lighting for a new pedestrian bridge, to be constructed on the campus later this year.
“We are pleased to be funding these solar installations at Brookhaven College and are excited to see how these students will use what they learn about sustainable energy in the future,” said Tony Napolillo, Sun Club Program Manager, Green Mountain Energy Company. “Our customers and Sun Club members made this donation possible – their small contributions each month making a big impact, and this donation is a testament to their commitment to the environment.”
Brookhaven College offers a wide variety of courses and unique programs to some 12,000 students who will learn about the solar arrays and sustainable energy sources with expanded environmental curricula. Faculty across various disciplines at the college will also adopt teaching lessons on solar energy.
Pictures from the event will be added to Green Mountain Energy’s Flickr stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenmtnenergy/
Celebrate Earth Month in Dallas
While most of the planet celebrates Earth Day only on April 22nd, Green Mountain likes to celebrate the Earth every day. Throughout the month of April, Green Mountain is celebrating sustainability and energy efficiency with special events in each of their markets. Their month-long conservation activities include online and in-person events in the Dallas area, where they’ll be connecting more closely with community members and the environment!
Didn’t think recycling, solar arrays, and renewables could be fun? Try celebrating Earth Month with Green Mountain! Learn how to cut down energy use and make sure what is used is powered by renewable energy by visiting the Green Mountain table at these upcoming Earth Month events:
Dallas-Fort Worth events
- Earth Day Dallas: April 20-21
- Fort Worth Main Street Arts Fest: April 18-21
Declare an eco-champion or energy waster-status by taking our quiz at www.facebook.com/GreenMountainEnergyCompany.
Plus, get tips and tricks to reduce energy usage and help the environment by visiting Green Mountain’s Energy Saver Center online at www.greenmountainenergy.com/customer-service-center/energy-saver-center.
Brookhaven College
Brookhaven College is a diverse, progressive educational environment enriching the lives of students, employees and community members. The college provides affordable freshman- and sophomore-level courses as well as high-quality and relevant technical, college-level programs that prepare graduates to enter immediately into the workforce. In addition to college credit programs, the college has continuing education courses that offer opportunities for personal enrichment and growth.
Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM
Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM is a program where Green Mountain residential customers in New York, Pennsylvania and Texas have the opportunity to give back to deserving non-profit organizations through the promotion of solar power. Direct monthly contributions from customers go toward the funding of solar installations. Since the program’s founding in 2002, Sun Club members have helped install more than 500 kilowatts of solar power, preventing over 787,300 pounds of CO2 emissions each year. That’s like not driving 878,500 miles or 390 households turning off their lights for a year. For more information, visit www.gmsunclub.com.
Green Mountain Energy Company
Green Mountain is the nation’s longest-serving renewable energy retailer and believes in using wind, sun and water for good. Founded in 1997, the company is a green power pioneer and celebrates 15 years delivering on the mission to “change the way power is made.” Green Mountain offers consumers and businesses the choice of cleaner electricity, as well as carbon offsets and sustainable solutions for businesses. One of Green Mountain’s largest customers is the “world’s most famous office building,” the Empire State Building in New York City. Green Mountain customers have collectively helped avoid over 19.4 billion pounds of carbon dioxide CO2 emissions. Visit us online at www.GreenMountain.com and learn more about our campaign for good at www.greenmountain.com/forgood.
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Educational opportunities are offered by Brookhaven College without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or gender expression.
Brookhaven College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the associate's degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Brookhaven College.
The three-fold purpose for publishing the Commission's address and contact numbers is to enable interested constituents (1) to learn about the accreditation status of Brookhaven College, (2) to file a third-party comment at the time of Brookhaven College's decennial review, or (3) to file a complaint against Brookhaven College for alleged non-compliance with a standard or requirement.
Normal inquiries about Brookhaven College, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be addressed directly to Brookhaven College and not to the Commission's office.
