OSU energy program nets $20 million in savings

The program, launched in 2007, relies heavily on behavioral changes by students and university employees, including simple changes such as turning off lights in unoccupied rooms.

The university also has installed energy-efficient lights, replaced outdated equipment and has begun shutting equipment down at night.

OSU President Burns Hargis made the announcement last week at a meeting of the board of regents for OSU and the A&M Colleges. Hargis said the program frees up money that had been devoted to utilities.

“As a publicly funded land-grant institution, it is important Oklahoma State University do all that it can to save money,” he said. “Because of these savings, the university has been able to focus more dollars on academics and enhancing the students' educational experience.”

In February, the state Corporation Commission approved a deal between OSU and Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. that would place a new 60-megawatt wind farm near Blackwell to provide power to the university.

OSU officials said the project would allow the university to take down its 62-year-old cogeneration power plant near Hall of Fame Avenue and Monroe Street. Officials estimated the wind farm would save the university $20 million to $30 million and reduce OSU's carbon footprint by 66 percent over the 20-year life of the project.