Texas Workforce Commission

PROGRESS REPORT

Texas Workforce Commission is proactive in energy-saving practices when planning repair and maintenance projects and tracking energy consumption.

The Fort Worth 4th Floor Restroom Renovation was completed in August 2024. The Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center (CCRC) Envelope Repairs and ADA Upgrades project was completed in October 2024. The CCRC Main Restroom Renovation was completed in October 2024. The Fort Worth Chiller Replacement was completed in October 2024. The Austin Trinity HVAC Replacement attained substantial completion in November 2024 and moved to close out in August 2025.

TWC identified 16 energy-saving projects in the fiscal 2025 energy and water management plan. The projects include:

1. Austin Annex Roof Replacement (construction phase)
2. Austin Main and Annex Elevator Upgrades (construction phase)
3. Austin Main Level 1 & 2 HVAC Replacement (planning phase)
4. Austin Main Windows and Sealants (planning phase)
5. Austin Main 6th Floor HVAC Replacement (planning phase)
6. Austin Main 6th Floor Restroom ADA Compliance (construction phase)
7. Austin MLK Warehouse HVAC Replacement (solicitation phase)
8. Austin Mopac Roof Replacement (construction phase)
9. Austin Mopac Rooftop Unit Replacement (construction phase)
10. Austin Trinity Cooling Tower and Chiller Replacement (solicitation phase)
11. CCRC Roof Replacement (solicitation phase)
12. CCRC Entry and Residential Restroom Renovations (construction phase)
13. CCRC Window and Door Replacement (construction phase)
14. Fort Worth 1st Floor Restroom Renovation (solicitation phase)
15. Fort Worth Elevator Upgrades (construction phase)
16. Fort Worth Server RTU Replacement (construction phase)

In fiscal 2025, TWC was recognized for its practices by the award of ENERGY STAR® certifications for seven of the 16 agency-owned buildings (AOBs).

In fiscal 2025, the following factors affected energy usage:

1. The return to office initiative increased facility occupancy by full-time employees by 68 percent, adding to overall demand for electricity, natural gas and water.
2. Average temperatures in Austin were 5.8 degrees colder in February 2025 than in February 2024, increasing natural gas use for facility heat.
3. Water leaks at the CCRC, Springdale and Guadalupe facilities added to water usage.
4. A storm-related gas leak at the Springdale facility contributed to increased natural gas usage.
5. Logistics for office increased gasoline usage.
6. Gasoline usage also increased due to lack of E-85 alternative fuel availability. An issue with TWC’s contracted provider resulted in TWC consuming more unleaded gasoline rather than alternative fuel.

Although increases occurred when compared with fiscal 2024, TWC energy usage was lower than projected against benchmark years, as follows:

1. Total electricity usage was 9.48 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) compared to 9.37 million kWh in fiscal 24. This represents a 1 percent increase in usage. Usage was 3 percent lower than projected.
2. Total water usage was 7.97 million gallons compared to 8.16 million gallons in fiscal 24. This represents a 2.38 percent decrease in usage. Usage was 34 percent lower than projected.
3. Total natural gas usage was 7,210 thousand cubic feet (MCF) compared to 6,550 MCF in fiscal 24. This represents a 10 percent increase in usage. Usage was 16 percent lower than projected.
4. Total gasoline usage was 7,016 gallons compared to 6,378 gallons in fiscal 24. This represents a 10 percent increase in actual usage. Usage was 9 percent lower than projected.

GOALS

TWC has established target goals to reduce water, electricity, transportation fuel and natural gas consumption by 2027 as outlined in the table below. TWC will use fiscal 2020 as a benchmark for electricity and fiscal 2017 for all others.

STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS

To meet conservation goals summarized in this plan, TWC will prioritize and implement strategies as follows:

1. Optimize upgrades of Building Management System software in 10 AOBs. The software allows TWC to monitor systems to identify needed improvements.
2. Replace light fixtures with energy-efficient lighting.
3. Replace equipment with energy-efficient equipment models on a continuous basis.
4. Use energy and water conservation design standards adopted by SECO in accordance with 34 Texas Admin. Code §19.31 – 19.34.
5. Install energy-efficient roofing when roof replacement is needed.
6. Conduct energy-related activities on a set schedule as outlined in the TWC Facilities Master Plan (FMP):
7. Electrical testing and repairs
8. Envelope and water penetration inspections and repairs
9. Sprinkler systems testing and repairs
10. Gas/plumbing testing and repairs
11. HVAC/boiler inspections for proper functionality
12. Roof inspections and repairs
13. Structural inspections
14. Engage in competitive utility procurement, where available. The following contracts help support TWC’s goals to reduce energy consumption.
15. SECO, in conjunction with the Council on Competitive Governments, contracts with ENGIE Insight Services Inc. (ENGIE) to assist TWC with energy needs, decision-making and renegotiating energy contracts in deregulated areas. ENGIE analyzes utility bills and monitors TWC’s energy and water usage.
16. TWC contracts with TXU Energy Retail Company LLC (TXU Energy) for lower rates at facilities outside the Austin Capitol Complex.
17. TWC participates in a statewide consortium via an Interagency Contract (IAC) with the General Land Office (GLO) to purchase natural gas produced on state-owned land. This arrangement allows TWC to purchase natural gas from GLO at reduced rates for all Austin AOBs and one leased site. TWC will expand this contract to new sites for which this is available.
18. Activate power management settings that turn off or reduce use of networked IT assets based on business hours and periods of low use.
19. Turn off lights in unused offices, conference rooms and hallways at peak hours, where feasible, especially during triple-digit heat days.
20. Combine long-distance business trips to conserve gasoline.

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

The following projects are expected to reduce energy consumption:

1. Austin Annex Roof Replacement is in the construction phase and scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2026.
2. Austin Main and Annex Elevator Upgrades is in the construction phase and scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2027.
3. Austin Main Level 1 & 2 HVAC Replacement is in the planning phase and scheduled to completed in fiscal 2028.
4. Austin Main Windows and Sealants is in the planning phase and scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2028.
5. Austin Main 6th Floor HVAC Replacement is in the planning phase and scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2027.
6. Austin Main 6th Floor Restroom ADA Compliance is in the construction phase and scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2026.
7. Austin MLK Warehouse HVAC Replacement is in the solicitation phase and scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2027.
8. Austin Mopac Roof Replacement is in the construction phase and scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2026.
9. Austin Mopac Rooftop Unit Replacement is in the construction phase and scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2026.
10. Austin Trinity Cooling Tower and Chiller Replacement is in the solicitation phase and scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2027.
11. CCRC Roof Replacement is in the solicitation phase and scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2026.
12. CCRC Entry and Residential Restroom Renovations is in the construction phase and scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2025.
13. CCRC Window Modification is in the construction phase and scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2026.
14. Fort Worth 1st Floor Restroom Renovation is in the solicitation phase and scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2026.
15. Fort Worth Elevator Upgrades is in the construction phase and scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2026.
16. Fort Worth Server Room RTU Replacement is in the construction phase and scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2026.

AGENCY FINANCE STRATEGY

TWC identifies and prioritizes maintenance and repair projects for energy efficiency as part of its Legislative Appropriations Requests (LAR). As part of the LAR, projected federal and state funds are identified to implement the projects for the next biennium. TWC is approximately 86 percent federally funded, and federal funds make up most of the funding for maintenance projects.

The total budget allocations are as follows:

Total Budgets for Repair and Maintenance

1. Fiscal 2026 Capital Projects: $12.7 million (includes $5.3 million for CCRC)
2. Fiscal 2026 Facility Related Maintenance and Repairs: $585,690

Cost estimates for upcoming fiscal 2026 projects that impact energy consumption are included below.

Estimated Cost of Fiscal 2026 Projects with Energy Usage Impact

1. Austin Annex Roof Replacement: $2.1 million
2. Austin Main and Annex Elevator Upgrades: $ 1.4 million
3. Austin Main Level 1 & 2 HVAC Replacement Design: $150,000
4. Austin Main Windows and Sealants: $250,000
5. Austin Main 6th Floor HVAC Replacement: $5.1 million
6. Austin Main 6th Floor Restroom ADA Compliance: $814,000
7. Austin Mopac Roof Replacement: $482,000
8. Austin Mopac Rooftop Unit Replacement: $ 694,000
9. Austin MLK Warehouse HVAC Replacement: $ 1.7 million
10. Austin Trinity Cooling Tower and Chiller Replacement: $ 2.9 million
11. CCRC Entry and Residential Restroom Renovations: $ 469,000
12. CCRC Roof Replacement: $3.3 million
13. CCRC Window Modification: $ 1.2 million
14. Fort Worth Elevator Upgrades: $ 1.4 million
15. Fort Worth Server Room RTU Replacement: $140,000
16. Fort Worth 1st Floor Restroom Renovation: $675,000

EMPLOYEE AWARENESS PLAN

Tips and ideas for conserving energy are published and accessible to all employees on the TWC internal SharePoint site.