Wesleyan To Purchase Green Electricity
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, CT — November 13, 2001 — Citing concern over the environment and our nation's dependence on foreign energy sources, students, staff and faculty from Wesleyan University announced today that they have joined the Connecticut Energy Cooperative (Co-op) and agreed to purchase 100% Green-e certified renewable electricity for the Freeman Athletic Center. The Center uses approximately 2.1 million kWh or 10% of the campus's annual load.
"Purchasing renewable energy helps the environment. Buying from the Co-op supports the local economy and helps lessen our nation's dependence on foreign fossil fuel," Kate Carone, a student at Wesleyan said.
The decision to join the Co-op was in response to a student lead campus-wide campaign initiated by ten Wesleyan students. The students worked with staff, faculty, and fellow students to raise awareness about renewable energy. Through a series of bake sales the students raised the Co-op's one time membership fee of $1,500 in just three weeks.
"This is a historic stride in Wesleyan's push to become a more environmentally sustainable institution. It makes an important statement about the values that are important to this university and the students," said Janet Yun, professor of Earth and Environmental Science.
Harry Kinne, director of Physical Plant said, "The concept of green energy is something that everyone can support. Wesleyan understands that our current energy supply is limited and we think it is important to support alternative types of energy that are domestic, uninterruptible and sustainable."
Wesleyan becomes the second college in Connecticut to sign up to support renewable electricity. Last spring, Connecticut College became the first when a student lead effort convinced the college to join.
Contacts:
CT Energy Co-op: Bob Maddox (860) 586-2380
Wesleyan University Administration: Harry Kinne (860) 685-2787
Wesleyan Students: Kelly Paul (860) 922-7600
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