April 8, 20004              60LCB#14

                                    The Energy Efficiency Fund Continuation & Commitment Act of 2004

 

Sponsored by:                          Eugene Pearson                        Legislative Council 2nd VP

 

Authored by:                            Rob DuRay                              UCSU Environmental Director

 

Energy Efficiency Fund Continuation & Commitment Act of 2004

Bill History

 

Burning fossil fuels for energy production is one of largest impacts humans have upon the environment. It is the largest single contributor to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and leads to numerous health problems. According to a Harvard School of Public Health it is estimated that coal burning power plants are responsible for approximately 15,000 deaths per year due to emission of small particles. (Wilson, Richard, and Spengler, John eds. Particles in Our Air: Concentrations and Health Effects ,1999, p. 212.) This does not take into account the additional health effects related to ground level ozone, or NOx and SOx emissions.

Currently, 98% of campus energy comes from fossil fuels. In response to this, UCSU has made a commitment to both reducing the amount of energy used on campus and finding alternative sources for this energy. One such action was passing a resolution in the fall of 2003 outlining the creation of an energy efficiency fund. This fund, coming from student fees, would be used to fund projects that increase energy efficiency within UCSU.  Along with lessening CU-Boulder’s impact on the atmosphere and environment, the projects listed in a preliminary study done by the environmental center could, according to an initial list of projects presented by the environmental center and the campus energy conservation officer, save UCSU and students $77,000 per year in energy costs. With an upfront cost of  $550,000, this is a payback of approximately 6.5 years.

In the spring of 2004, Legislative Council approved the funding for the first year of this fund, at a price of $108,000. The continuation of this fund will increase the campus’s environmental sustainability, keep the University of Colorado at Boulder at the forefront of campus environmental policy and save the campus a significant amount of money in energy costs.

Bill Summary

 

To continue UCSU’s tradition of lessening its impact upon the environment as well as saving money, this bill asks for legislative council’s continued support of the energy efficiency fund for its duration, 5 years in total.

 

THEREFORE BE IT ENACTED by the Legislative Council of the University of Colorado Student Union, THAT,

 

Section 1: The environmental center, as well as the campus energy conservation officer shall develop a prioritized action plan which will accomplish the following objectives:

            1) Define what process will be used to administer funds

            2) Reduce energy use in buildings towards which the fund was applied, and

            3) Use UCSU funds to leverage additional support from outside agencies.

            4) Develop a list of projects and procedures for implementing each project. 

 

Section 2: UCSU recommends funds should be allocated for this project in its entirety, a minimum of 5 years. This funding shall be included as a line item in the environmental center’s budget for the academic year 2005-2006 or through an annual allocation from the SOR account. It will be important for future members of Legislative Council to recognize their predecessors’ commitment to environmental stewardship and energy efficiency and provide continuity in leadership and support

 

Section 3: Funding shall be contingent on annual review and approval by Finance Board and UCSU

 

Section 4: Implementation shall be in accordance with policies and procedures of the Student Organizations Finance Office, which shall provide budgetary oversight for any expenses funded with student fees.

 

Section 5:  Implementation shall be in accordance with applicable codes and standards of the CU-Boulder Campus Master Plan, other relevant campus planning documents and all existing building regulations.

 

Section 6: The environmental center, in conjunction with the campus energy conservation officer and all other entities charged with allocating the funds and implementing the projects shall provide an annual report to UCSU, detailing accomplishments and progress.

 

Section 7:  This bill takes effect upon passage by the Legislative Council and upon obtaining the signatures of the Tri-Executives.

4-8-04                                                              Passed                                                                        13-0-0