U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin has requested the funds be appropriated for Baraboo’s "Living and Learning Center" from a Department of Energy appropriations bill that has now cleared both houses of Congress and awaits only the signature of President Barack Obama.

The campus’ plan for the Living and Learning Center calls for a "green" residence hall and shared community space that will house 96 students during the academic year and provide a conference facility for up to 125 attendees, as well as providing an exhibit of sustainable building practices.

"While serving the students, faculty, and staff of UW-BSC, the new Living and Learning Center will also serve as an example to the larger community of sustainable design and environmental stewardship," Baldwin said.

Jerilyn Goodman, Baldwin’s press secretary, said Baldwin had chosen to support the project in part because of its demonstrated community value.

"It’s a worthy project, it has great local support," she said. "It has a real teaching value beyond its functional value."

She said in addition to encouraging environmental sustainability, the project would probably provide jobs, and improve access to education for students who needed housing.

The Living and Learning Center has received numerous letters of support so far, including from state Sen. Dale Schultz and Rep. Ed Brooks, Baraboo Mayor Pat Liston, Sauk County Board Chair Martin Krueger, and the Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce.

The appropriation marks the first major contribution to the project, which, as currently planned, will cost an estimated $15 million.

"We’re very excited," campus dean Thomas Pleger said. "This is our first significant contribution to get the project moving."

Pleger said the total cost would depend on what amenities were included in the final building, but at this point the campus was aiming for the highest possible certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. He said ideally, this would mean the building provides its own energy and water, does not produce waste, and could possibly provide energy to other parts of the campus as well.

"There would be nothing else like it in the University of Wisconsin system in terms of its level of sustainability and green construction," he said. "We really have an opportunity to build a building that could be a model for other higher education institutions in the country."

Pleger said Baraboo was a good place for pioneering such technology, also, given the proximity of conservation firms such as the International Crane Foundation.

"We are clearly a cluster for environmental and conservation research and preservation ... and the university is obligated to lead the way in terms of sustainable construction," he said. "We feel it’s very important given the region and given the beauty of the campus."

The campus first began studying the project in 2006. At this point, Pleger said, a time line for completion would depend on fundraising.

In addition to the funds appropriated by Baldwin, Pleger said the campus was pursuing other federal sources, forming an alumni association, and continuing to solicit community members for assistance.