~ Bloomington, Indiana - The City of Bloomington has been awarded a grant from the Indiana Office of Energy Development's Empowering Energy Partnerships in Indiana Communities (EPIC) program. The grant will provide funding for a comprehensive upgrade of the historic Buskirk Chumley Theater, with the goal of improving energy efficiency, sustainability, and climate resiliency.

The project will involve significant improvements to the theater's mechanical systems, as well as the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic panels and a battery energy storage system. These upgrades will not only transform the theater into a model of energy efficiency but also reduce its operating costs and carbon footprint.

The Buskirk Chumley Theater, a beloved cultural and community hub in Bloomington, has long faced challenges due to outdated infrastructure. With this EPIC grant, those issues will be addressed by reducing energy costs by an estimated $6,000 annually and cutting CO2 emissions by approximately 25.6 tons per year. This project aligns with Bloomington's Climate Action Plan goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% below 2018 levels, with a long-term goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

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Steve Versaw, Executive Director of Buskirk-Chumley Theater, expressed his excitement about the project: "Theaters worldwide, especially historic ones like the Buskirk-Chumley which has been a Bloomington landmark since 1922, aren't typically known for their energy efficiency. That's why it's so exciting to contribute to transforming this venue into a sustainable space that future generations can enjoy for the next hundred years."

In addition to improving energy efficiency and sustainability efforts, the theater will also serve as a community cooling center during extreme heat events. Free film screenings will be offered in a climate-controlled environment thanks to the battery energy storage system that will ensure uninterrupted power supply even during outages.

Once completed, the upgraded theater will host public tours and a speaker series on sustainability, showcasing energy efficiency and climate resiliency efforts both locally and nationally. Shawn Miya, Assistant Director of Sustainability, expressed gratitude for the EPIC grant and its impact on the community: "We are extremely grateful for the opportunity the EPIC grant has provided to increase Bloomington's resilience to climate change while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions at our beloved Buskirk Chumley Theater. This investment will help ensure the theater's continued presence in our community and provide a space for energy efficiency and decarbonization education across our region."

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The Buskirk Chumley Theater project not only positions Bloomington as a leader in sustainable development and energy innovation but also serves as an inspiration to residents, businesses, organizations, and municipalities across Indiana in the fight against climate change. For more information about Bloomington's ongoing sustainability and climate efforts, please visit bloomington.in.gov/sustainability or contact sustain@bloomington.in.gov.

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