After signing a five-year contract with Gexa Energy that features Texas Green-e certified renewable energy credits equal to 100 percent of their needs beginning June 1, Dallas College will be able to reduce fossil fuel emissions, promote the health of residents, and create jobs in renewable energy. The fixed-rate contract avoids the variable costs that impacted consumers following the February freeze.

Dallas College Energy Manager Garrett Rosser says, “In terms of reducing our carbon footprint, the biggest thing we can do is reduce usage. The college is establishing energy best practices across all campuses and replacing outdated equipment such as boilers and heat exchangers with newer, efficient models.” New buildings constructed under the $1.1 billion bond project will follow strict construction and equipment efficiency standards.

Reducing energy usage is part of being an environmental leader and responsible civic partner. “It represents a move away from fossil fuel and the greenhouse gas production that comes with it,” says Rosser. “We’ve got so many community partners that are doing the same thing. We are a big institution, and we have such large usage.”