State-owned buildings in North Carolina have saved taxpayers more than $196 million by reducing energy use during the fiscal year from July 2023 to June 2024, according to the State Energy Office within the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). This effort is part of the Utility Savings Initiative (USI), which tracks utility consumption data and helps meet state-mandated energy reduction targets as well as goals set by Executive Order 80. Since 2002, these efforts have led to a total of $2.37 billion in avoided utility costs.
The USI program offers technical support and training for all state-owned buildings to help achieve these savings. DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson stated, “North Carolina state agencies, universities, and community colleges are saving taxpayers billions of dollars as a result of their leadership to make their buildings more energy efficient. Efforts to reduce energy consumption are not only good for public health and the environment, but also good for North Carolinians’ pocketbooks. It’s a win-win.”
In addition to financial savings, increased energy efficiency has reduced greenhouse gas emissions across the state. In Fiscal Year 2024 alone, more than one million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions were avoided; since 2002, this figure stands at 10.3 million metric tons.
Nine state agencies, universities, and community colleges received recognition from DEQ for achieving significant reductions in energy use compared to baseline levels set in 2002-2003. These organizations made progress toward Executive Order 80’s goals through actions such as installing LED lighting, upgrading building automation systems, enhancing HVAC equipment, and improving building envelopes.
Recognized state agencies include:
– Department of Natural and Cultural Resources with a 38 percent reduction—the highest among agencies.
– Department of Health and Human Services with a 37 percent reduction.
– Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Administration each with a 36 percent reduction.
Within the University of North Carolina System:
– UNC System Office achieved an 82 percent reduction—the highest within the system.
– Western Carolina University reached a 56 percent reduction.
– North Carolina Agricultural & Technical University saw a 52 percent reduction.
Among community colleges:
– Coastal Carolina Community College had a 61 percent reduction—the highest among community colleges.
– Pitt Community College achieved a 54 percent reduction.
– Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College reached a 53 percent reduction.
Overall, all state-owned buildings combined reduced their energy consumption by 32 percent compared to baseline during Fiscal Year 2024.
For further details or access to the full Fiscal Year 2024 Utility Savings Initiative report, visit https://www.deq.nc.gov/energy-climate/state-energy-office/utility-savings-initiative.
