kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and KilleenBaylor University introduces new energy plan

Waco's Clarion Hotel uses a lot of energy!

"It's almost sickening. Probably 1.5 million kilowatts a year," says General Manager Shane Hay.

The hotel's energy bill is between $9,000 and $20,000 a month. Mostly because of the hotel's large atrium. 

"All of the indoor plants and the pool. The humidity is the biggest thing and so the ACs are constantly running and of course people want their rooms at 62 degrees," Shane adds.

But he has found a new way to bring his energy bill down and give back to the community. Shane signed the hotel up for Baylor Bear Energy. A new energy plan from the Dallas-based company Branded Retail Energy that donates money to the university's athletic program.

"We have a minimum guarantee of over $100,000 to Baylor in this first year alone," explains Elizabeth Chandler with Branded Retail Energy.

For businesses like Clarion Hotel, a determined percentage of their bill will go to the university. For residential customers, the company donates a flat rate per customer each month. And as more people make the switch, the company will donate more money to Baylor.

"Instead of using basic advertising that other energy companies might use...we have partnered with Baylor to use that advertising budget and contribute to Baylor Athletics so it doesn't cost the consumers any additional dollars," Elizabeth adds.

"Part of it will go generally to athletics and then part of it will go to student athlete scholarships and be part of the President's Scholarship Initiative," says Baylor Athletic Director Ian McCaw.

Supporters of the program like Shane say you have to use energy, so you might as well make it bear energy. "The cost...which is a savings for us and which is a great opportunity, wasn't as big of a factor as the opportunity to work with Baylor and support the athletics and everything else that the money will go for."

 Anyone in a deregulated area of Texas can sign up for Baylor Bear Energy. For more information on the plans and how to sign up, you can go to: http://www.baylorbearenergy.com/.

Reporter: Ashley Goudeau / Photographer: Carlos Ramirez