Prison putting new energy efficiency plan in place

By KEVIN CRAFTON

Staff Writer

Putnamville Correctional Facility is the latest beneficiary in an effort by Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) to be more energy efficient.

IDOC had a two-phase program in place that is expected to save $50-million in the next ten years. Putnamville's wind turbine was part of phase two that also included water conservation, steam trap replacement, lighting upgrades, automated temperature control system installation, boiler blow down optimization, boiler plant de-centralization and the implementation of a bio-mass boiler.

According to a fact sheet sent by IDOC, between the two phases they will realize an annual savings of approximately 9,582,152-kilowatt hours of electricity and 190,515 Million British Thermal Units (MMBtu) of fossil fuels. This is equivalent to taking more than 4,500 passenger cars off the road for one year or 536,495 tree seedlings grown for ten years.

The contract amount for phase two which also includes the Indiana Women's Prison and Indianapolis Juvenile Prison facilities is $10,715,567. However, the expected savings over ten years for these three facilities is $13,824,869 -- a $3,109,302 difference.

The wind turbine was dedicated this past Wednesday afternoon to IDOC's Director of Contract Compliance, the late Larry Lazart. Lazart passed away while working on this contract. For his efforts in making this project come to life, a granite memorial plaque was placed at the base of the turbine.

As of June 30, construction savings have totaled $1,782,733.