Accelerating phaseout of CFCs
One new chiller, using a refrigerant with zero potential for ozone depletion, has been installed by the university. A second chiller was converted to use the same new refrigerant in 1997. These and the existing large chilled-water storage tank will back up LSC during peak cooling hours. The other six existing chillers will be decommissioned after LSC is complete and operational for a few years, thereby eliminating CFCs from the system.
Replacing and upgrading roads, walkways, and utilities
Excavation for the LSC pipeline was undertaken in conjunction with numerous improvements to public roadways, utilities, and sidewalks, resulting in more than $1.2 million in improvements for the City of Ithaca. Some of the sanitary sewers, water lines, and storm sewers slated for replacement were nearly a century old. Sidewalk improvements constructed at Cornell's expense increased safety along East Shore Drive in the Town of Ithaca.
Adding to the local economy
As many as 130 jobs were created during construction, and nearly $22 million is expected to be spent for wages and supplies in the local community - much of which would not be spent locally if the new cooling system utilized new electricity-driven chillers rather than LSC.
Decreasing reliance on fossil fuels
The LSC system will reduce the electrical energy - and associated environmental impacts - required for central-campus cooling by about 80 percent, saving the equivalent of enough electricity to meet the needs of 2,500 homes annually.
Cooling the Ithaca School District Administration Building
Cornell has connected the Ithaca School District's administration building to the LSC system, enabling it to meet its cooling demand for the foreseeable future. This will save taxpayers about $100,000 that would be spent on a new chiller and, in the long run, will reduce cooling costs by more than $750,000.
Town of Ithaca Lake Shore Park
Cornell has created a lakeshore park at its expense and has given it to the Town of Ithaca, a first in the Town. This new park is at the north end of the existing marina at the southeast end of the lake, in front of the site of the Heat Exchange Facility, which is a part of LSC. Parking spaces have been constructed to allow public access to the lake at this location. The Town will maintain the park and post it as part of their park system.
