Energy Management Plan

Energy Management Plan (Resource Efficiency Plan) for the State Finance Commission Building, 2601 North Lamar, Austin, Texas

Updated October 2020

  1. Rules as Adopted by the State Energy Conservation Office
  2. Overview of the State Finance Commission Building
  3. Summary of the Energy and Water Conservation Plan
  4. SFC Building Specifications
  5. History of Utility Use and Expenditures
  6. Cost Reduction Implementation Measures
  7. Finance Strategy
  8. Utility Awareness Plan
  9. Contact Information

1. Rules as Adopted by the State Energy Conservation Office

The Texas Department of Banking (DOB) has developed an energy and water conservation plan (Plan) pursuant to §19.14(c)(5) of TAC, Title 34, Part 1.
Texas Government Code Section 447.002 requires the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) to develop and provide energy and water conservation information for the state. SECO may establish procedures and adopt rules relating to the development and implementation of energy and water conservation measures and programs applicable to state buildings and facilities.

2. Overview of the State Finance Commission Building

The State Finance Commission (SFC) Building is located at 2601 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. The SFC Building was built in 1968 and acquired by the Texas Department of Banking in 1975. The SFC Building is a normal steel and brick office building that has three floors with an estimated 43,813 square feet. Formerly a two story building, the SFC added a third floor in 1984. The SFC Building is owned and occupied by the three Finance Commission agencies - the Texas Department of Banking (DOB), Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending (SML), and the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC). Approximately 120 employees of the three Finance Commission (FC) agencies occupy the SFC building.

The costs of maintenance repairs and utilities are shared between the three agencies based on square footage occupation of the building. In addition to occupying a portion of the SFC Building, DOB also maintains four regional offices in the following cities: Houston, Lubbock, Dallas, and San Antonio. These offices are all in non-state owned space and comply with the rules as adopted by SECO. DOB and OCCC also lease space at the Nob Hill Office Complex which is located across the street from the SFC Building. These facilities also comply with the rules adopted by SECO.

The SFC Building is supported by City of Austin Energy for electricity and water and by the Texas General Land Office and Texas Gas Service for natural gas. Electricity is the main source of energy supporting SFC building systems including all air conditioning units and internal/ external lighting. Natural gas is used to heat the building and provide hot water.

3. Summary of the Plan

Below is a narrative summary of the overall goals, strategies, and desired outcomes for addressing utility use at the SFC Building.

Goals

  • Identify energy and water cost reduction measures
  • Implement feasible cost reduction measures
  • Further strengthen current energy management processes
  • Increase employee awareness of utility conservation measures
  • Effectively reduce energy and water consumption
  • Strive to reduce electricity, gas, and water use by 3% per year.

Strategies

  • Develop, maintain, and update the Plan as needed
  • Audit utility consumption and expenditures
  • Assess building and equipment efficiency
  • Allocate resources, staffing and processes to support the Plan
  • Implement financing plan for capital investment projects
  • Ensure leadership endorsement of the Plan
  • Provide employee awareness to maintain continued energy conservation and cost savings
  • Monitor the implementation status of energy conservation measures

Desired Outcomes

  • DOB mission and philosophy are integrated in the Plan, and operations are maintained at optimum levels
  • Implementation of measurable energy conservation actions are successful
  • The Plan has a positive environmental impact
  • Electricity and natural gas use reduction by one percent every two years contingent on rate fluctuations

4. SFC Building Specifications

The following table describes the SFC Building.

Facility Address Yr. Built Facility Type Gross Sq. Footage Construction Type FTE M-F
SFC Building 2601 N. Lamar 1968 Office 43,813* Steel/Brick 120

*Equipment rooms, warehouse space, file space, etc. is included in gross square footage.

5. History of Utility Use and Expenditures

Beginning in March 2006, building utilities were billed directly to the Texas Facilities Commission. As of September 2009, the Finance Commission agencies once again became responsible for all utility bills.

6. Cost Reduction Implementation Measures

This section details cost reduction implementation measures to achieve DOB established goals. Some items will have a cost associated with them and some will not. Other items will have a significant financial impact and will be implemented in the long term, pending funding and budgetary approval.

Short Term

  • Use automatic power save mode on electronic equipment
  • Lower thermostat in winter
  • Raise thermostat in summer
  • Reduce heating/cooling load during unoccupied hours
  • Turn off equipment when not in use
  • Turn off interior lighting when not in use
  • Decrease temperature of water heater
  • Water exterior foliage on water conservation designated days
  • Seal cracks around windows and doors

Long Term

  • Previous long term goals were met and implemented as detailed below.

Goals Met in Last 5 Years

  • Elevator replacement
  • Water boiler replacement
  • Water heater replacement
  • Air conditioning/heating control panel replacement
  • Air conditioning control software/interface upgrade
  • Plumbing fixture replacement and update with low flow devices

7. Finance Strategy

This section details the costs associated with the operations of the SFC Building and the funding sources to be used. As FC agencies are self-directed, semi-independent, all expenditures are funded by the FC agencies’ own funds. General Revenue is not used. The following is a breakdown of the areas related to the energy conservation processes and the corresponding expense categories:

Maintenance and repairs:  Normal building maintenance for the SFC Building falls under other operating expenses.

Utilities: SFC Building utilities, including, electricity, gas, water, and trash, fall under utilities.

Staff Salaries:  The salaries of the staff associated with the maintenance of the SFC Building are all paid from the salary object of expense.

It should be noted that not all of the above operating expenses are limited strictly to the energy conservation process; but cover the operations and maintenance of the SFC Building as a whole.

Capital Projects and/or Improvements: Items identified as capital projects or improvements ($25,000 or greater) are submitted as separate line items on the agencies’ annual budgets that are submitted to the FC for approval.

8. Utility Awareness Plan

This section describes how to increase employee awareness of utility conservation measures by using methods which directly affect changes in behavior. The following will be used as tools to increase employee awareness and participation.

Focus Groups: Small discussion groups or focus groups will be used to gather more detailed information about energy conservation and then disseminate to staff.

Interviews: Personal interviews will be used to obtain input from management. These staff can help evaluate the plan and provide comments on what actions should and should not be taken by individual employees; what staff members are responsible for; and the responsibilities of different departments.
Delivery methods for the above mentioned utility awareness tools may include staff meetings, division meetings, email, etc.
By utilizing these methods of information gathering and dissemination on an on-going basis, energy saving actions realized may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Keep blinds or curtains drawn during a hot summer day; open them during the sunny part of a winter day
  • Make sure floor or wall vents are not blocked by furniture or other obstructions
  • Use daylight instead of electric light whenever possible
  • Avoid using space heaters
  • Turn off office machines overnight
  • Turn off water taps when water is not being used; report all leaks promptly

9. Contact Information

Sami Chadli
Chief Financial Officer
(512) 475-1316
sami.chadli@dob.texas.gov