Federal Stimulus Information

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) is part of an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges, allowing our country to thrive in the 21st century. President Barack Obama signed the Recovery Act into law on Feb. 17, 2009. This act is an extraordinary response to a crisis unlike any since the Great Depression.

Business and Finance is participating in ASU’s response to President Obama’s challenge and pursuing initiatives that support the New American University vision of excellence, access and impact, as well as the objectives of the Recovery Act. These initiatives align with the recommendations in the Recovery Act and, if funded, will enable the University to modernize certain aspects of its infrastructure and facilities for better response to the University’s teaching, research and public service mission; enhance energy conservation and independence, while reducing costs and the University’s carbon footprint; enhance public safety services for the ASU community to better protect students, faculty and staff, and visitors to the University; and improve environmental conditions to make ASU a safer place to learn, live and work.

Project examples include:

Campus Solarization – Solar Photovoltaic Electrical Generation Systems

Currently at 1.88 megawatts, the campus solarization program places ASU as having the largest solar installation of any U.S. university. The four photovoltaic electric systems recently installed generate enough electricity to power 275 homes – the equivalent of taking 420 cars off the road and averting more than 4.9 million pounds of carbon dioxide gas. ASU received the Valley Forward Crescordia Award of 2009, in the Environmental Technologies for Public Sector category.

ASU, through contracts and potential funding from the Recovery Act, will complete four additional installations in 2009, increasing its solar electrical production by 453kW. Plans are in process for an additional 13 installations in 2010 totaling 7.37 MW. By the end of 2010, the total ASU solarization program will provide 9.7 MW of power. Ultimately, it is anticipated that 15-20 MW of solar energy will be installed at the ASU campuses.

Environmental Services Renovation

This project will provide a safe, well-maintained and well-equipped facility infrastructure that promotes efficient and effective environmental services to research endeavors of ASU. There has been a dramatic growth in overall research activities at ASU over the last several years, particularly in the bio-medical and health-related areas. This project will remodel an existing University facility, Physical Science G Wing (PSG), to manage current needs and to provide for handling of significant increases in the amount of biological waste generated, the amount of chemicals ordered, and the concomitant increase in inventory and shipping and receiving. The remodel project will provide for full separation of the biological waste generated/received and for the management and accountability of this waste until disposal. The remodel project and implementation of proposed services will provide the capability for comprehensive, reliable and consistent service to the research community, while minimizing staff and equipment costs and additional space requirements.

For questions or more information, contact Lee Overmyer, Stimulus Coordinator for the Executive Vice President, Treasurer and CFO at 480.965.0399