Editor:
I was pleased to see the Chronicle’s endorsement last month of a desperately needed recycling program on campus. But this is only one step we need to take to make our campus more ecologically correct. In addition to recycling, we need a more sustainable energy policy. I ask The Chronicle and the students of the U to join members of Terra Firma in demanding clean energy on our campus.
Currently, Utah Power offers consumers the option to purchase wind power in their monthly energy bills. My housemates and I buy 200 kilowatt-hours a month for an additional $5.90?that’s less than $2 per person. Although wind power is infinitely cleaner and actually cheaper to produce than energy from fossil fuels, the existence of a broad infrastructure for the use and distribution of fossil fuels makes wind power unattractive in the short term.
As more people purchase wind power, the cost will decline. But, since wind power is more expensive in the short-term, and the university has a limited budget, we propose that students sign our petition, agreeing to pay $1 extra in student fees to buy wind power.
One dollar is small, but collectively, our purchasing power is great. With this additional fee we could buy 1 million kilowatt-hours of wind power annually.
Even though this accounts for only 1/235 of the U’s energy use, it would prevent more than 1,500 tons of carbon dioxide from entering our atmosphere each year. It would have the same impact as planting nearly 300 acres of trees.
Let us set the precedent for institutions of higher education by endorsing alternative energy. Look for the Terra Firma table this Thursday and every Monday in the Union, where you can sign the petition.
Rosemary Winters
Senior, Environmental Studies and Mass Communication