In an effort to continue a University-wide trend toward energy conservation, Ecopledge members Katie Cava, A&S '08, and Katherine Walsh, A&S '08, presented a comprehensive proposal to a Board of Trustees subcommittee Nov. 30. The energy conservation initiative and clean energy policy would not only save Boston College considerable sums of money, but would also reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
"It's very important for universities to start educating students about energy conservation since we're the generation that will be in power when global warming becomes a large problem," said Cava. "Universities need to take a stand and use their influence and power; plus they are huge consumers of energy."
Although actions taken by BC last year to conserve energy have saved over 10 million kilowatt hours and $1,800,000 in avoided cost, the policy would commit the University to an even higher standard. If adopted, the policy would require BC to obtain 30 percent of its energy from clean sources by next school year and 60 percent by the year 2010. According to the proposal, this would result in "lowered energy costs, insulation from fluctuating energy prices, and a reduction in the school's impact on global warming."
Clean sources, which provide energy from sources other than fossil fuels, like wind, water, and solar, currently comprise approximately 11 percent of BC's energy provision.
"Burning fossil fuels releases pollutants like nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide," said Deirdre Manning, BC's energy manager. "Carbon dioxide is believed to contribute to global warming, while nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide are known for causing harmful acid rain and respiratory problems, especially in people with asthma."
Independent of the initiative taken by Ecopledge, BC has signed a five year contract with a new energy provider, TransCanada, which generates 28 percent of its energy from clean, renewable sources. The contract will begin in January 2007, said Manning.
Ecopledge's proposal, which has garnered the support of 1,200 students and 10 faculty members, also includes the implementation of items from the Energy Star Checklist starting next year and the hiring of an energy services company to recommend other possible upgrades.
To fund the initiative, Ecopledge proposed the establishment of a revolving loan fund with an initial investment of $1 million. "After the initial investment, it is basically self-sustaining," said Cava. The concept is modeled off Harvard University's "Green Campus" loan, a $3 million investment that was projected to save the school $889,000 per year.
By investing the initial capital in energy projects such as "changing light bulbs, replacing windows, and updating heating and cooling systems," according to the proposal, the savings would be returned to the fund.
"Financing is often the most difficult part," said Cava, "but the revolving loan fund is a feasible way to accomplish change. It might take a few years to start seeing savings, but it's worth it in the long term."
While BC has reduced its energy usage by cutting lighting from the parking garages and decreasing heating and air conditioning usage in several buildings, Ecopledge hopes to put the University on a path toward even greater environmental awareness.
"Sometimes environmentalism is thought of as a 'revolutionary idea'," said Cava. "Our plan is not only feasible, it makes sense economically."
"BC has done well with energy conservation in the past," said Walsh. "This policy is just a written way in which they can continue; it's a plan to base new goals around and puts initiatives on a timeline."
Data from other "green" schools throughout the country was also included in the proposal to show the committee what BC can aspire to achieve. While only 80 of the United States' approximately 4,000 college campuses currently use green power, investment in loans similar to the one proposed by Ecopledge has given schools the opportunity to explore other options for conservation.
Besides Harvard, Duke University and Bowdoin College were cited for their conservation projects. Bowdoin is looking to develop a geothermal energy project on campus, which will power two new residence halls, a new concert hall, and an art museum, according to the proposal. They are also developing a mechanism for heating residence halls using biodiesel waste from the dining halls. Duke purchases renewable energy certificates which allow them to pay for the school's energy in addition to investing in green power projects.
Other schools, like Evergreen State College in Washington, use a portion of a student fee to purchase clean energy, invest in building on-site infrastructure for energy production, and fund research into renewable energy. The California State University system also has a "Green Energy Policy" in which it has committed itself to renewable energy research.
"Because BC is a Jesuit university and global warming is the moral imperative of our generation, we need to take a leadership role in making concrete initiative," said Walsh. "A collaborative effort between students and administrators is important."
To kick-start an environmentalist attitude in the student body, Facilities and Utilities Management, Residential Life, and Ecopledge combined efforts to show An Inconvenient Truth on main campus and Newton Campus Nov. 28.
"Over 300 students saw the film that day," said Phil Pietrangelo, member of Ecopledge and A&S '09. "Some people were really touched and gained an environmental concern. Everyone has been willing and receptive to our efforts."
Be the first to comment on this article!