PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 11, 2014

Public Library receives award from Duke Energy for upgrades

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County received a 2013 Power Partner award Feb. 11 from Duke Energy during the Library’s board meeting. The Library earned the award by making energy-efficient upgrades to the Main Library in downtown Cincinnati.

“We are so pleased with the results of the improvements made to our Main Library as a result of this program. We’re saving money and energy while still providing a comfortable environment for our customers and staff,” said Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director of the Library Kimber L. Fender.

Duke Energy has more than 4,000 large business customers throughout the Carolinas, Midwest and Florida that are eligible to be nominated for Power Partner recognition each year.

“In its history, approximately 130 companies have won this award. This award has great significance to Duke Energy and it is our way of showing you how deeply we value your partnership. Your company now joins a select group of customers that are held in the highest regard as exhibited through this partnership recognition,” said Michael Pahutski, director of Large Account Management for Ohio and Kentucky at Duke Energy.

Duke Energy established the Power Partner awards in 1992 to recognize large businesses that achieve exemplary results in energy efficiency, sustainability and business growth. The energy conservation measures for the Library consisted of lighting upgrades, lighting controls, alternate summer re-heat, major mechanical retrofits, and building automation and control system upgrades. Upgrades were implemented with the support of Duke Energy’s Smart $aver Incentive and Smart Building Advantage (SBA) programs. The Library, the second SBA customer in the Midwest, incorporated the largest energy conservation measures identified in the SBA assessment report to date.

Given the scope and complexity of overhauling the Library’s systems, implementation of the energy-efficiency projects is being spread over multiple years and phases. The Library’s energy conservation efforts are expected to save the Library $430,000 per year and reduce energy usage by 37 percent.

In December 2012, Duke Energy presented a Smart $aver Incentive check for $111,000 to the Library for the reduction of 1,684,889 kilowatt-hours (kWh) in Phase One. During Phase Two, Duke Energy presented another Smart $aver incentive check in January of this year for $210,000 for the reduction of 2,792,785 kWh. The Library also plans to upgrade its Clifton, St. Bernard, and Reading branches through the Smart $aver program as part of the construction projects already underway.

For more about the construction projects, visit www.cincinnatilibrary.org/info/construction/.