ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — North Carolina saved nearly $200 million in taxpayer dollars last fiscal year by cutting energy use in state-owned buildings, with several Western North Carolina institutions, including Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, among the top performers.

The State Energy Office reported that energy-efficiency efforts across state agencies, universities and community colleges saved $196 million from July 2023 to June 2024. The cuts are part of the Utility Savings Initiative, a statewide program that tracks utility use and helps public institutions meet energy-reduction mandates and the goals outlined in Executive Order 80.

Since 2002, the initiative has helped North Carolina avoid more than $2.3 billion in utility costs, officials said.

“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,” DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson said in a statement. “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.”

The state also reported significant environmental gains. More than 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions were avoided in fiscal year 2024, and 10.3 million metric tons have been prevented since 2002.

WNC institutions among state leaders

• Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College was recognized for a 53 percent reduction in energy use compared with its 2002-03 baseline, one of the highest improvements among community colleges.
• Western Carolina University earned recognition as well, posting a 56 percent reduction — the second-largest drop among UNC System campuses.

Other top performers included the UNC System Office (82 percent reduction) and Coastal Carolina Community College (61 percent reduction).

Statewide, all state-owned buildings achieved an overall 32 percent reduction in energy use over baseline levels.

The improvements come from a mix of LED lighting upgrades, building automation systems, HVAC enhancements and improvements to building envelopes.

The full Fiscal Year 2024 Utility Savings Initiative report is available on the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s website.