Lake Land College recently received a $50,000 GeoAlliance grant to help fund the installation of a highly energy efficient and environmentally friendly geothermal heat pump heating and cooling system in the college’s Northeast Building, which is used for employee offices and student housing.
The GeoAlliance geothermal grant program, which is now closed, was funded through the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF), and administered by the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC). During the 12-year, $1.5 million program, 51 separate projects were funded for not-for-profit and public entities throughout the state. Lake Land College received a total of $145,000 for three projects. In addition to the Northeast Building installation, projects in Webb Hall and the Athletic Center also received GeoAlliance grants.
GeoAlliance funding was passed down from the AIEC to Illinois electric cooperatives, which re-granted it to qualifying members who receive electricity from them. Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative is the electric provider for Lake Land College. Kim Leftwich, the cooperative’s president/CEO, said the co-op is pleased to have been able to partner with the college on these projects and with the energy savings the college is realizing.
Nancy McDonald, marketing administrator at the AIEC, stated that with the installation of the geothermal systems in the three buildings, the estimated annual savings is $63,274.
The ICECF invests in clean energy development and land preservation efforts throughout Illinois. Information on the foundation’s other grant programs can be found on its website at www.illinoiscleanenergy.org. 
