Oklahoma State University surpasses $20 million energy savings milestone

Friday, July 27, 2012

Oklahoma State University has saved more than $20 million through its energy conservation efforts over the last five years. The university announced the savings milestone today during the OSU/A&M Board of Regents meeting in Ardmore. 

“As a publicly funded land-grant institution it is important Oklahoma State University do all that it can to save money,” said OSU President Burns Hargis.  “Because of these savings the university has been able to focus more dollars on academics and enhancing the student’s education experience.”

Hargis added, “I am so proud of the way our students and employees have embraced this program.  Without their support these savings would not have been possible.” 

OSU launched its energy conservation program in 2007 through a partnership with Energy Education, founded and owned by OSU alum Bill Spears. Since July of 2007, OSU has saved nearly $20.4 million in energy costs.  The savings figure includes all five campuses in the OSU system.  The Stillwater campus has seen a total savings of $16,557,372.

OSU Campus Savings -- July 2007 – July 2012

OSU Stillwater                $16,557,372

OSU Tulsa                      $1,053,209

OSU Tulsa - CHS            $1,027,622

OSU-OKC                      $974,107

OSUIT                          $735,729

Earlier this year, using OSU as a model, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed into law Senate Bill 1096 that directs all state agencies and higher education institutions to achieve at least 20 percent improvement in energy efficiency and conservation by the year 2020. OSU's $20 million in energy savings represents a 19 percent improvement.

The energy savings has allowed five new or renovated buildings on the Stillwater campus to open without increasing the overall maintenance and operation budget. In addition, the efforts have resulted in eleven residential halls earning the Energy Star label.

A major portion of OSU's savings has come through behavioral changes by employees and students. The university also has taken a number of steps to improve energy efficiency, including:

• installation of energy efficient lights
• energy conservation devices on soda and snack vending machines
• improved monitoring and handling of air and air quality
• sealed air leaks around windows and doors
• installed timers on drinking fountains for nighttime energy savings
• replaced obsolete steam traps and insulated pipe valves and fittings