PROGRESS REPORT
Texas State University (TXST) is continually working to advance our efforts in utility conservation. This includes ongoing audits and projects that help improve building operations, comfort and efficiency.
- TXST published a new University Master Plan in fiscal 2025 and will continue implementation of the plan into fiscal 2026. This will help identify opportunities for consideration in enhancement of campus utility efficiency, conservation and resiliency, which will be evaluated, prioritized and implemented by TXST as resources become available.
- TXST continues to work toward enhancing campus sub-metering. This ongoing effort allows us to monitor consumption at a more granular level and will continue into fiscal 2026.
- In the summer of 2025, TXST contracted services for an Infrared Flyover Assessment to identify steam, chilled water, irrigation and roof leaks. No significant leaks were identified in the utility distribution system and minor steam distribution issues have been corrected.
- In fiscal 2025, TXST contracted services to develop design specifications for upgrading the Direct Digital Control (DDC) system of our central chiller plant and will be contracting installation in fiscal 2026. This upgrade involves replacing obsolete controllers with new, faster controllers that have greater capacities, adding opportunities for automatic sequencing and improved operations. After these upgrades are implemented, we anticipate that the central plant operations will function with improved efficiency.
- TXST continued to implement efficiency upgrades in fiscal 2025 including building envelope upgrades, window glazing, roof replacements and AHU repair/replacements.
- TXST completed the installation of an Economizer on one of the boiler systems in the Central Plant with funding assistance from the SECO LoanStar Loan program. The system is operational and provides efficiencies as expected.
TXST maintains a Water Management Plan and is available for the public to access on the TXST website: https://policies.txst.edu/division-policies/finance-and-support-services/08-07.html
The Water Management Plan establishes policy and procedures for water use on campus, including irrigation standards and water conservation practices.
TXST maintains a Fleet Management Plan and is available for the public to access on the TXST website: https://policies.txst.edu/university-policies/05-05-03.html
The Fleet Management Plan establishes policy and procedures for TXST vehicles, including acquisition, maintenance, responsibilities and disposal. Fuel data is provided through alternative state reporting methods.
GOALS
Since 2012, TXST has continued to work toward the goal of reducing annual natural gas and electricity consumption by 5 percent. The conservation goal to “decrease energy use on a square foot basis at a rate of 5 percent annually” was established in the Finance and Support Division Administrative Support Plan 2017-23. This plan has been replaced by several more specific individual operational policies, but conservation remains a top priority. TXST continues to work towards our goal to “decrease energy use on a square foot basis at a rate of 5 percent annually” as established within this document.
TXST established a new benchmark year in fiscal 2020. Although we were able to reduce electricity consumption by 5 percent in fiscal 2021, this proved to be more challenging in fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2023. In fiscal 2024, we were able to exceed our reduction goal to achieve a 9 percent reduction in electricity use from 2020 levels. However, in fiscal 2025 we experienced an overall increase in electricity use and did not meet our reduction goals.
TXST also saw an increase in both natural gas (0.5 percent) and water use (1.9 percent) from fiscal 2020 levels. TXST is looking broadly at opportunities to improve operations that we believe will help us meet our utility savings goals moving forward. As we work toward meeting new conservation challenges, we would like to note that TXST is experiencing exponential growth. We demolished some buildings to make way for more efficient, new facilities. During this transition, our use per square foot calculations are impacted by the loss of square footage and this may help account for the percentage increase in use over the fiscal 2025 period.
Fuel data is provided through alternative state reporting methods.
| Utility | Target Year | Benchmark Year | Percentage Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 2027 | 2020 | 5 |
| Electricity | 2027 | 2020 | 5 |
| Transportation Fuels | 2027 | 2020 | 5 |
| Natural Gas | 2027 | 2020 | 5 |
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
TXST plans to use a combination of internal staffing along with outside contractors to implement cost-effective utility efficiency measures.
When internal staff lack the time or expertise to conduct work, contractors will be used to repair (physical) systems across campus.
TXST will follow the utility masterplan to evaluate and prioritize cost effective utility efficiency measures.
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
TXST is working to complete updates to our Building Automation System software and sub-metering installations across the campus in fiscal 2026. This will support the broader implementation of efficiency upgrades, enhancing our ability to monitor, measure and track utility consumption.
In fiscal 2026, we will continue installing lighting upgrades, roof repairs and replacements, building envelop improvements, HVAC controls improvements and AHU replacements.
AGENCY FINANCE STRATEGY
Most retrofit projects that have an energy efficiency component will be funded through the Higher Education Fund. TXST is evaluating the merits of an Energy Savings Performance Contract on both the Round Rock and San Marcos campuses and plan to have Preliminary Audits conducted in fiscal 2026.
Vehicles will be replaced with more fuel-efficient alternatives, and when feasible, alternative fuel vehicles.
EMPLOYEE AWARENESS PLAN
The TXST Energy Conservation Committee meets annually. Members of the committee represent stakeholders across campus including staff, faculty and student populations. Information is provided regarding efficiency efforts being implemented, future actions and discussion of needs and possible investments or actions moving forward. Occasionally, campus-wide emails are sent to notify occupants of specific calls for energy or water conservation. Additionally, the TXST Office of Sustainability maintains a website with pages dedicated to energy and water conservation tips, current drought information and conservation strategies for students, staff and faculty while they are on and off campus.
