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Greenhouse Gas Emissions

MMSD is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2035, using 2019 as the baseline, and achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. 

MMSD Greenhouse Gas Emissions

An chart showing MMSD Greenhouse gas levels starting at a baseline of approximately 33,000 metric tons of Co2e. followed by 25,000 for 2020, 31,000 for 2021, 30,000 for 2022, 27,000 for 2023 and 26,000 for 2024. With a goal of 16,000 by 2035.

MMSD has committed to reaching zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, using 2019 as the baseline year. In 2019, the district's carbon footprint was 32,092 metric tons of CO2. 

By the end of 2024, MMSD reduced emissions by 19%, lowering our footprint to 25,931 metric tons. During 2024, the district operations used 27 GWh of electricity and 2 million therms of natural gas. 

Looking ahead, MMSD is targeting 16,046 metric tons of CO2 by 2035. 

The district operates 52 buildings totaling 4.5 million square feet. Powering these buildings requires a significant amount of energy and costs the district millions of dollars each year. As MMSD continues to grow, conserving energy is critical, both to reduce costs and cut emissions.

Curious about your school's energy use?

Energy Dashboards provide up to date consumption and emission data for every MMSD building. The data is input from the utility bills and updated monthly. 

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On-Site Solar Energy

2024 Additions:

Previously solar arrays were installed at: 

  • West High School - 130kW
  • Olson Elementary - 18kW

Energy Use & Efficiency

In 2024, MMSD consumed 27.2 GWh of electricity and 720,000 therms of natural gas to power our buildings, charge our fleet, and provide necessary services. 

Over the last two years, MMSD has been upgrading building lighting systems to energy efficient LED fixtures to reduce energy usage, lower costs, and cut emissions. 

Utility Power & Renewable Energy

In 2024, 20.4% of the electricity powered by MG&E came from renewable sources. MG&E has committed to:

  • 80% carbon reduction by 2030, based on 2005 levels 
  • Net-zero carbon electricity by 2050 

View MG&E’s Sustainability Report

Renewable Energy Rider (RER) Partnership

Since 2022, MMSD and the City of Madison have received power through MG&E’s Renewable Energy Rider program, sourcing electricity from 8MW Hermsdorff Solar Fields. 

  • MMSD receives 3MW
  • City of Madison receives 5MW 

Learn more about the RER program

Tracking Emissions

To track progress toward our climate goals, MMSD uses Scope 1 and Scope 2 emission analysis, which includes:

  • Fuel used in district operated buses and fleet vehicles (Scope 1)
  • Energy used in buildings from natural gas and electricity (Scope 2)