UW Green Bay Students Vote “Yes” for Green Energy
In a press release issued on February 13, the UW-Green Bay resports:
The UW Green Bay Phoenix just got a little greener. The students recently voted to approve the purchase of electricity from renewable resources. Beginning in Fall 2006, UW Green Bay will purchase approximately 10% of the campus’s energy from renewable energy sources through NatureWise®, a renewable energy program offered by Wisconsin Public Service.
What makes this purchase unique is the source of funding. UW-Green Bay is the first school in Wisconsin to fund the purchase of “green energy” through a voluntary increase in student fees. Students have agreed to pay $1.69 more per semester for the next four years, allowing about 10% of the campus energy to come from renewable sources.
“That’s less than a cup of coffee!” announced Maureen Ferry, a senior and officer of the Public & Environmental Affairs Council (PEAC), the student organization that initiated the NatureWise® purchase. “In student surveys that we conducted, over 80% supported this initiative, knowing that the money would come from their own pockets,” she added.
Michelle Eis, officer of PEAC and Environmental Affairs Director for the Student Government Association, spearheaded the NatureWise effort at UW Green Bay. Eis, a 1999 graduate of Two Rivers Washington High Shool, conducted the surveys, held informational meetings, spoke to many classes and student organizations and communicated with students, faculty and administrators during the fall semester to move the initiative through the approval process. The proposal was discussed by UW Green Bay’s Student Senate during several meetings and approved last December. Final approval was granted by the Student University Fee Allocation Committee on January 26.
UW Green Bay’s administration also strongly supports the renewable energy commitment for the campus. Chancellor Bruce Shepard stated, “This initiative aligns UW-Green Bay with the direction Governor Doyle set for all states agencies as well as the President’s renewed call for affordable, environmentally responsible energy sources.” Chancellor Shepard has committed to matching the students’ funding with an equal amount that will be used for energy conservation and energy efficiency upgrades on the campus. This combination will allow UW Green Bay to increase demand for renewable energy while reducing the campus’s overall energy needs.
“We commend the students for their commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Larry Weyers, Chairman & CEO at Wisconsin Public Service. “We have teamed up with UW Green Bay on several renewable energy projects in the past, and we’re pleased that the students chose NatureWise to expand the university’s efforts in this area.”
NatureWise provides a choice for customers of Wisconsin Public Service who want to support renewable energy. Electricity produced from local wind and biogas resources is offered at a modest premium. More information is available at www.wisconsinpublicservice.com.
For more information contact:
•Michelle Eis (920) 860-0417
UW-Green Bay
•Chip Bircher (920) 433-5518
Wisconsin Public Service>
