April 8, 2004                                                                60LCR#13

                                                                                                Support for Local Wind Energy

 

Sponsored by:              Eugene Pearson                                    Legislative Council 2nd VP

                                   

Authored by:                Ghita Levenstein Carroll                        Program Coordinator –

Environmental Center                           

 

A Resolution

Resolution History

In spring of 2004, UCSU voted to include $54,000 as a line item in the Environmental Center’s budget to be 100% powered by wind in the three UCSU buildings (purchase would be 8.8 million kWh/year of wind).  This price was based off of a quote from Native Energy, a wind developer that puts wind turbines on Native American lands, mainly in the Dakotas.  At the time, there was not a comparable option for supporting new wind development in Colorado.  The only option was Excel Energy’s WindSource program, which was charging four times as much as Native Energy. 

 

There is currently discussion of creating a new wind farm in Colorado as a partnership effort with the City of Fort Collins, the City of Boulder, the Boulder Community Hospital and other local entities.  This option may be ready within the next 1-2 years.  In order to move forward with developing a new wind farm, the wind developer will need a commitment from potential buyers beforehand.

 

Resolution Summary

 

WHEREAS:   If UCSU supported the new wind project in Colorado, UCSU’s purchase of wind energy would help drive the development of renewable energy in Colorado.

 

WHEREAS:   This opportunity would allow CU to participate in a new model for wind farm ownership.

 

WHEREAS:   Purchasing wind in Colorado offers educational and outreach opportunities for students to learn about wind power and other renewables through facility tours and joint outreach.

 

WHEREAS:   This opportunity may allow for a ‘Floating Price Option.  In this option, the cost of wind to CU students will fluctuate with respect to the cost of natural gas.  This means that over time students may pay less for the price of wind, and may actually get paid by the wind contractor if natural gas costs more than wind.

 

WHEREAS:   Wind power in Colorado reduces emissions from Colorado power plants by changing grid dispatch.

 

WHEREAS:   Wind energy in Colorado may promote rural development.

 

WHEREAS:   CU would continue to set an example for other Colorado institutions.

 

WHEREAS:   The purchase of wind energy in Colorado would show UCSU’s commitment to Colorado and its economic growth.

 

WHEREAS:    Purchase of local wind energy from a new wind farm creates new wind and renewable energy capacity.

 

WHEREAS:   CU would continue to be a leader in campus renewable energy purchases.

 

WHEREAS:   Purchasing wind in CO would still meet 100% of the electricity needs in the 3 student managed buildings.

 

WHEREAS:   UCSU's purchase of 100% wind saves an estimated 16.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually.   This has the same environmental benefits of not driving a car over 16,000,000 miles or planting 3332 acres of trees.

 

WHEREAS:   CU’s purchase of wind is helping to drive the cost of wind power down.

 

WHEREAS:   There is a long history of student support for wind power on the CU campus. In April 2003 a statistically significant survey showed that students would be willing to support an additional two dollars for green energy – by a margin of 92% in favor to only 7% opposed.

 

WHEREAS:   CU-Boulder’s wind purchase has served as a model for schools around the nation, and has received several awards including EPA’s Green Power Leadership Award, EPA’s Climate Protection Award and the Wirth Chair Award.

 

 

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

 

SECTION 1:  UCSU fully UCSU recommends the continuation of the wind purchasing program.

 

SECTION 2: USCU directs the Environmental Center to evaluate the option of participating in the development of a new wind farm in Colorado when the option is available, even if this option will require an increase in student fees.   The Environmental Center shall then report back to UCSU for a final decision.

 

SECTION 3:  ENACTMENT. This resolution takes effect upon passage upon passage by the Legislative Council and upon obtaining the signatures of the Council President and the Tri-Executives.

4/8/04                                                  Passed                                                                        14-0-0