Alternative Energy
Student Leadership
The Board of Trustees approved a student resolution for students to charge themselves a fee to be used for the purchase of wind power. I n 2004, a development program was initiated by a faculty member, inspired by the student program, so faculty, staff, and friends of the University could contribute to the purchase of wind power. This year we purchased over 36,000 mwh of Renewable Energy Credits.
Windpower Offsets
Offset Greenhouse Gas Emissions Through the University of Utah Campaigns for Sustainable Energy
2006-07 Fiscal year
$44,000 contributed
Funded 33 Mwh of windpower
Offset 10,850 tons of CO2 emissions
EPA ranked U of U #10 in purchases
Important Facts
Our rate from Sterling Planet is 15% of Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky program ($3/MWhr instead of $19.50/MWhr)
Rate is about 5% greater than conventional electricity cost
This attractive rate is due to bulk ASUU purchases (22 Mwh) using funds generated from student fees
Offset Impact
10 MWhr of wind power prevents about 20,000 pounds (10 tons) of CO2 emissions
Most electricity in Utah comes from burning coal, resulting in 50% of Utah’s carbon dioxide emissions
Expect 2 new coal-burning power plants per year in Utah due to growth in peak loads (mostly for summer air conditioning).
University of Utah Electricity Use
We estimate about 10 MWhr is used annually per full-time faculty, staff or graduate student
A $30 donation will offset one person’s yearly campus electricity use
What is an ‘Offset’?
Carbon offsets reduce net carbon dioxide emissions in another location to compensate for the emissions you cause as you use power from your current sources. Carbon offsets enable us to reduce our climate footprint by supporting projects (e.g., energy efficiency, renewable energy, sequestration, biomass, etc.) that make a difference regionally and globally.
Current ParticipantsArchitecture + Planning Biochemistry Biochemistry Seminars Bioscience Graduate Programs Biology Central Development Office Communication Continuing Education Economics Environmental Humanities Environmental Studies Family and Consumer Studies Geography Geology + Geophysics GRC Proteins Conference Human Genetics Huntsman Cancer Institute HCI Seminars Infectious Disease Mechanical Engineering Nursing Philosophy RHSM School of Medicine/Benning Seminars Sociology U of U Medical Students U of U Students (ASUU) Undergraduate Studies - Sill Center Utah Museum of Natural History Utah PhysiciansHealthy Environment Wasatch Mountain Club …and more
|
