April 20, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Stacia Momburg
(805) 756-6260
Cal Poly Students Earn University Gift of Renewable Energy
SAN LUIS OBISPO - Thanks to Cal Poly students' efforts, the university has received a clean energy award of 105,000 kilowatt hours of renewable energy. The award will save the university approximately $12,600 - the equivalent of about one day's energy use.
Cal Poly students participated in a nationwide effort to raise awareness about - and lobby for - clean energy. The students participated in the effort to encourage educational institutions to invest in "clean," renewable energy as a means to educate their community about the benefits and accessibility of renewable energy alternatives. The Cal Poly students, members of the California Student Sustainability Coalition (CSSC), participated recently in the Race to End Dirty Energy, sponsored by Energy Action, a coalition of environmental advocacy groups.
Cal Poly CSSC members participated in the two-month signature drive culminating in more than 27,000 signatures being delivered to the White House and legislators, as well as California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, California State University Chancellor Charles B. Reed, and the president of the University of California, Robert C. Dynes. The 10 schools with the most signatures were promised a clean energy award. Cal Poly CSSC members collected enough signatures to finish eighth in the race.
Larry Kelley, vice president of administration and finance, said he is proud of the CSSC team and its commitment to renewable energy. "These students should be commended for their dedication to a cause that will help ensure a cleaner environment for Cal Poly today and in the future," Kelley said.
Cal Poly doesn't have a large student population, so placing eighth nationally was really quite amazing," said Rachel Aljilani, president of Cal Poly's CSSC chapter and sustainability team leader for ASI's executive staff. "I applaud the efforts of all the students who helped collect signatures and all the students who signed the Declaration of Independence from Dirty Energy."
Energy Action provided Cal Poly with certificates for 105,000 kilowatt hours of certified renewable energy from wind, solar and bio-mass energy sources from across the country. At an average rate of $0.12/kwhr, the award saves Cal Poly an estimated $12,600, or one average day's energy use. The award will prevent 74 tons of CO 2 and other harmful gasses from being emitted into the atmosphere.
"More than merely saving the university one day's worth of fossil-fuel energy consumption, this award showcases the renewable energy options available across the country today," said Mark Hunter, director of facility services at Cal Poly. "Additionally, it highlights the possibilities for the future."
CSSC team members included: Cerisa Skinner, Watsonville , Mia White, San Luis Obispo , Emily Woods, Pleasant Hill , Rachel Aljilani, Anaheim , A. Chris Auriemma, Los Angeles , Chris Kornblatt, Newbury Park , Tinelle Evans, Sacramento , Tylor Middlestadt, Albany , OR; Eunji Kim, Albany , and Jesse Churchill, Griswold , Conn.
About Energy Action
Energy Action, a national coalition made up of more than 17 nationwide and regional environmental advocacy groups, is dedicated to a shift from "dirty energy," such as oil, natural gas, nuclear and other fossil fuels, toward a more sustainable, healthy, "clean energy" economy comprised of renewable fuels such as solar, wind, and hydrogen.
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