Higher Education and Energy Independence
by Eric Kane, New York, NY on 10. 5.06
As campus activism continues to heighten awareness of climate change, more universities are making efforts to reduce their environmental footprint. Recently, four schools in the University of Wisconsin System announced a plan to achieve energy independence within five years. Under a pilot program, UW-Green Bay, UW-Oshkosh, UW-River Falls, and UW-Stevens Point will become the first Wisconsin-owned facilities capable of acquiring or producing renewable energy equivalent to their consumption. The campuses will rely on a variety of potential renewable energy sources including: solar, wind, fuel cells, renewable fuels, and biomass. The schools will also implement strategies to reduce overall energy consumption. According to estimates, the achievement of energy independence at the four campuses would save 260,000 tons of coal over a decade.
Under a pilot program, UW-Green Bay, UW-Oshkosh, UW-River Falls, and UW-Stevens Point will become the first Wisconsin-owned facilities capable of acquiring or producing renewable energy equivalent to their consumption.
Producing, perhaps--acquiring, no. All facilities, companies, households and individuals everywhere (even Wisconsin 8^)) can buy renewable energy credits equivalent to their energy consumption.
More info available at www.green-e.org. Green-e is the organization that certifies credits.
Notwithstanding that quibble, this seems like a terrific educational project that can encompass many social, environmental and policy topics.
Regards,
Tom Gray
American Wind Energy Association
www.awea.org
www.ifnotwind.org
The best way to change the course of a society is to convince young adults who will soon be taking over the reins of power and leadership. And the best way to convince them of what is possible is to show them up close what is possible. No words needed. Just a functioning renewable energy system.