Next February, our student body will have a remarkable chance to change the way the University gets its energy. In the upcoming student election, students will have the opportunity to vote on a referendum to start funding renewable energy projects such as solar hot water heaters and the purchase of power from renewable energy providers. With the passage of this referendum, an advisory committee would be created to oversee the use of the approximately $300,000 that the fee would generated.
The impacts of such a change in our University's purchasing habits would be far-reaching. Given that more than two-thirds of the Southeast's power comes from coal-fired plants and that the American Lung Association rates the Triangle as having the 13th worst air quality in the nation, efforts to invest in renewable energy are urgent in defense of our public health.
Therefore, any steps that the University takes to reduce its dependence on coal and nuclear power can and will give back formidably to the community. The student body can indeed be proud of itself if it passes a referendum to make UNC the first Southeastern university to invest in renewable energy. And given the University's position of leadership in North Carolina and in the nation, we would set a strong precedent for other universities and consumers to follow.
This initiative has been spearheaded by the Student Environmental Action Coalition and the Carolina Environmental Student Alliance, who have gained the support of the National Wildlife Federation, Campus Facilities Services, Advanced Energy Inc., Duke Solar, Vice Chancellor Carolyn Elfland and several student organizations.
Given the renewable energy campaign's broad scope and complexity, SEAC and CESA members would like to address any of the student body's concerns, such as those raised in The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Board's Nov. 15 piece, "Waste of Energy." In response, the following points are being offered so the board can re-evaluate and reconsider its opinion.
First of all, contrary to the statement by the (editorial), none of the money raised by the student fee increase would go to research. Rather, all of the money would go to tangible projects, such as the aforementioned solar hot water heaters, which would be placed on the roofs of current and future construction projects on campus. Some of the money also would go to purchasing energy from renewable energy providers such as N.C. Green Power, a new program starting up that allows all North Carolinians the opportunity to support renewable energy providers.
Second, and again contrary to a statement in the editorial, the bill passed by Student Congress allows the option of faculty members to sit on the committee that will oversee the management of the renewable energy funds. SEAC members agree that the student members will need guidance in managing the funds, which is why the group is currently working to require that faculty take part in the committee.
The editorial board also questioned the ability of students to manage the approximately $300,000 that would be raised annually with the referendum's success. Since the money raised will come directly from student fees, we feel that it is only natural for students to have the power to oversee what is done with their money. However, acknowledging that safeguards must be in place, SEAC has carefully crafted ways to ensure that the money will be handled responsibly.
For example, Congress will ensure that qualified students with a background in environmental issues and renewable energy are appointed to the committee. And furthermore, since both faculty members and staff from the Energy Services Department will hold seats on the committee, student members will have plenty of guidance even if they are not fully versed in the specifics of the sustainable energy arena.
Granted, $300,000 might seem like a large amount for students to handle, but one must realize that it pales in comparison to the more than $50 million the University spends yearly on energy. Given the initially high capital costs of campus energy projects and the large amount of energy required to power the University, it will not be an overwhelming task to put all of the money to good use.
Furthermore, the renewable energy bill passed by Student Congress calls for the student body to vote again on the fee every two years. Therefore, students will have the power to stop funding these projects if they no longer believe in the initiative's value. Considering these reasons, we believe that the money will be handled responsibly.
The time is ripe for the Triangle and North Carolina to invest in renewable energy to provide cleaner air for a cleaner future. This referendum will allow students, as members of this larger community, the opportunity to have a voice in making this vision a reality. And given the local and regional impacts of this initiative, we have strived to ensure that implementation is achieved with ample accountability. As such, we believe that students, under the guidance of faculty and staff, can and should have responsibility in deciding the future of energy use at our University.
Reach Collin Lee, co-chairman of the Student Environmental Action Coalition, at cblee@email.unc.edu. E-mail Sara Peach, member of the Student Environmental Action Coalition, at peach@email.unc.edu.
