Frontier Community College recently received a grant from the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) to fund the purchase of a new Stihl electric mower. This addition is part of FCC’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency on campus, helping reduce fossil fuel consumption while promoting green technology to students and community partners.
“Protecting the environment, embracing renewable energy initiatives, and finding energy-efficient solutions are core priorities at Frontier Community College,” said Dr. Paul Bruinsma, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges’ Chief Academic Officer. “This funding opportunity is another step forward as FCC strives to be a leader in green technology and sustainability efforts.”
FCC has made significant strides in recent years toward renewable energy and sustainability. Recent IGEN-funded projects include a 45kW solar array, solar-powered bollards lighting walkways, and a solar charging picnic table on campus. These initiatives have generated more than $16,000 in power to date and have allowed FCC to reduce its reliance on traditional energy sources. These changes also create valuable educational opportunities for FCC students and partnerships with local organizations.
The grant will support the purchase of a smaller, battery-powered electric riding mower with a 60-inch deck and an electric push lawnmower with a 30-inch deck. These mowers will help the college maintain the grounds efficiently while navigating around its renewable energy installations, like the solar array and bollards, which have proven challenging for FCC’s current fleet of large gas-powered mowers.
“We hope to reduce our fossil fuel consumption by 40% and cut CO2 emissions by roughly 320 pounds per mowing cycle,” Bruinsma noted. “Adding electric mowers not only reduces environmental impact but complements FCC’s other renewable energy initiatives.”
In addition to maintaining FCC’s 50-acre campus, the electric mowers will provide hands-on learning experiences for students in FCC’s Automotive Technology Program, who already have access to training with electric vehicles. With the popularity of electric-powered equipment on the rise, FCC is exploring the development of new courses to help students learn to diagnose, repair, and maintain electric systems.
As part of its commitment to local outreach, FCC will offer demonstrations of the electric mowers to community partners, including Fairfield Memorial Hospital, Wayne White Electric Cooperative, and the City of Fairfield. These events aim to encourage local businesses and organizations to consider energy-efficient technology options.
“FCC is committed to being a beacon of sustainability and green energy in Wayne County,” Bruinsma said. “Through this grant and our ongoing projects, we are showing our community the importance and benefits of renewable energy and energy reduction initiatives.”