Contact: James Carskadon

STARKVILLE, Miss.—The Tennessee Valley Authority is recognizing Mississippi State University for its efforts in improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.

MSU is among seven winners and the only Mississippi agency recognized as part of TVA’s 2018 Carbon Reduction Awards for having the lowest carbon emissions among businesses in the TVA region served by local power companies. The award recognizes MSU for going “above and beyond” in efforts to have low carbon emissions.

“TVA cares about the environment and we want to recognize Valley businesses who share our commitment to improve air quality and the health of our communities,” said Dan Pratt, TVA vice president of customer delivery. “These businesses have not only lowered their own as-delivered carbon rates for themselves, but their actions have also helped to lower TVA’s system carbon rate as a whole, which is good for all who live in the Valley.”

Through university initiatives implemented over the last decade, MSU has been able to substantially reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, saving more than $55 million in utility costs. MSU is served by Starkville Utilities.

“We have diligently worked to improve the efficiency of all campus operations, and it is exciting to see those efforts pay off,” said MSU Vice President for Campus Services Amy Tuck. “I want to thank the many people across campus who have embraced our sustainability initiatives, and I would like to thank TVA for recognizing our efforts.”

Efforts to improve efficiency include initiatives such as regular monitoring and reporting of energy consumption, converting old, inefficient boiler technologies to new high efficiency models, upgrading and expanding computer-based control systems, optimizing equipment/building scheduling, retrofitting from fluorescent to LED lighting technology, applying lighting control devices such as occupancy sensors, retro-commissioning of older building systems and adding the MSU Ice Plant.

“The administration has been very supportive of efficiency initiatives over the past decade,” said J.D. Hardy, MSU’s associate director of engineering services. “Because of this support and with the diligent efforts of MSU staff, faculty and students, the university has experienced more than a 40 percent reduction in energy consumption per building square foot over the past 12 years. This accounts for more than $55 million in avoided utility costs. 

“When you consider the robust growth in enrollment over that same 12-year time period, MSU has seen a dramatic 53 percent reduction in CO2 emissions on a per student basis,” Hardy added. “The improved performance and efficiencies have been achieved through the use of numerous energy saving technologies, as well as initiatives that engage users on campus.”

MSU was the only institution of higher learning recognized by TVA for having the lowest carbon emissions. Tennessee State University was recognized in the “most improved” category. For more details, see https://www.tva.com/Newsroom/Press-Releases/TVA-Announces-2018-Carbon-Reduction-Award-Winners.

The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power companies serving nearly 10 million people in parts of seven southeastern states.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.