Today students have the opportunity to rally in front of the U’s Park Building steps at 11:30 a.m. to bring support for wind- power-generated energy.
Student organizers are asking for a $1 increase in student fees to pay for a purchase of wind power energy in addition to coal power, which the U currently uses.
U students have teamed up with Terra Firma, an environmental group, and the Utah Wind Power Campaign for the purchase.
The campaign organizers had organized a rally in the 2002 Fall Semester to inform students of the possibilities, but this rally is to show administrators that there is student support for the campaign, according to Aaron Titus, the rally coordinator.
Students have since been petitioning, lobbying with the student government’s Senate and Assembly as well as meeting with administrators.
Sarah Wright, a member of the Utah Wind Power Campaign, says the U is a leader within the state, and if it is possible to purchase wind power then the U could be a role model for other universities across Utah.
“If students can relate and see the significant environmental impact traditional energy use has such as air pollution, then we can gain support from students,” Wright said.
The rally will have guest speakers such as Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson, Vice President for University Relations Fred Esplin and ASUU party candidates.
“The ASUU parties will focus their speeches on environmental issues,” Titus said. “This is just a good opportunity for them to get more support for their parties.”
In order for the student fee increase to take place, campaigners will have to pass a bill in both the Associated Students of the University of Utah’s Senate and Assembly as well as the Academic Senate.
“One dollar is an extremely conservative amount. If this goes through, it would go a long way to subsidize the wind power premium,” Titus said.
He also added that the student response has been supportive with the 1,000 signatures they were able to gather “with minimal effort.”
“Sixty percent of those who are in support of us suggest a higher increase, many suggest $5 and more,” Titus said.
He also adds that ASUU is now more supportive than in the past.
“I think Bill Edwards [ASUU president] was waiting to make sure students were really behind it before they increase student fees,” Titus said.
Elise Brown, wind power coordinator, said now that they had more support, this proposition could pass within the next year.
“We have student backing now. Students feel passionate about it, and they are writing letters enough that ASUU and the Academic Senate see that we have support,” Brown said.
The purchase would allow the U to have the largest purchase of wind power in the state which would potentially generate 6.4 million kilowatt hours.
The rally will include a mascot, speeches and refreshments.