OSU seeks energy managers to jumpstart campus-wide conservation

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Oklahoma State University is searching for energy managers for each campus as the key first step in a comprehensive energy conservation initiative expected to save the OSU System more than $30 million over the next seven years.

OSU will hire eight energy managers to guide the implementation of a customized, multi-year conservation education program developed in partnership with national leader Energy Education Inc. Approved in January by the OSU/A&M College Board of Regents, the collaboration with EEI is part of OSU’s efforts to prevent escalating utility costs from encumbering its educational pursuits and mission.

“A centerpiece of our overall initiative will be the selection and training of energy managers at every OSU campus who will collaborate with EEI’s engineers, heating and air conditioning specialists and other professionals to bring about the most effective and efficient energy use in all of our buildings and systems,” said David Bosserman, OSU vice president of Administration and Finance.

In addition to providing energy-tracking software support for assessing the overall program’s effectiveness, energy managers will also be required to communicate effectively with diverse campus audiences. The program’s success hinges not only on increasing conservation awareness among administrators, faculty, staff and students but also on bringing about a campus-wide change in mindsets. Thousands of energy use points will be examined, and recommendations will be made for the most efficient use of each through seasons and changing use patterns.

“One of the reasons EEI was so attractive to us is that the company designs customized savings programs based on comprehensive training of the people responsible for implementing and managing effective energy conservation,” Bosserman said.

EEI’s proprietary energy conservation program has been used by more than 800 public school districts across the United States. The OSU System is the first higher education institution to implement its program.

“We are excited about this partnership with Oklahoma State University,” said EEI representative Randy Hoff, President – Operations. “OSU is taking an important step toward saving millions of dollars in energy costs and the opportunity to put that savings back into the instruction of students and their campus experience and other university endeavors.”

The seven-year contract with Energy Education Inc. includes a no-risk guarantee. EEI has estimated total savings of $30 million, with net savings of $22.6 million after deducting program costs. The university must save at least the program costs, or Energy Education will pay the difference. But if OSU saves more than EEI has projected, there is no additional cost to OSU.

The energy managers, who will report to a senior-level administrator on their respective campuses, will be new hires, and the cost will be included in the computation of overall savings.