Clean Energy for Smith!
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What is clean energy?
Clean energy, also known as renewable energy is electricity generated from sources such as the sun, wind, water biomass and geothermal heat that produce few or no hazardous emissions.
Why do we need clean energy?
Burning fossil fuels to generate electricity is the biggest contributor to global warming, and we all know what that leads to. Burning fossil fuels release pollutants into the air that cause acid rain, destroy the ozone layer, reduce visibility in the air, and is a hazard to our health. In addition, fossil fuels are an exhaustible source of energy. At the current rate of consumption, experts estimate that our supply of fossil fuels will run out within the next 60 years.
What are the benefits of clean energy?
Replacing 10% of Smith’s electricity with clean energy would eliminate 4,412,288 pounds of CO2 from the atmosphere, 21,929 pounds SO2, and 8,625 pounds of NOx. The amount of CO2 eliminated is equivalent to 300,156 trees planted, 3,088,602 miles not driven, or 246 cars taken off the road! Clean Energy creates new jobs, a safer country through energy independence, and healthier kids with less asthma attacks. What’s not to like?
Why are the benefits for Smith of getting clean energy ?
Smith will be joining a growing group of prestigious universities stepping up and leading the clean energy revolution. Smith students will be investing in the future of new technology gaining financial and social benefits. Getting clean energy advances Smith’s overall goals of becoming a leader among institutions of higher learning for environmental responsibility and progressive actions. Clean energy purchases gather a lot of media attention, generate alumni givings and attract more students to the institution. Fossil fuels are becoming more expensive and scarce, by investing in clean energy, Smith drives down the cost of clean energy, making it more affordable for everyone. In some states, wind energy has become cheaper than fossil fuels and customers saved money in making the switch to clean energy.
Isn’t
the college already going towards clean energy?
Smith College is looking into building a co-generation plant that will produce electricity and heat more efficiently, and cut down the amount of pollution generated by the college. However, co-gen is very different from clean energy in that fossil fuels are still being used to produce electricity, while the clean energy we would be purchasing is 100% wind. In addition, the proposal for co-gen will not be reviewed by the board of trustees until next October, and if it is approved it will not be in use for another 5-10 years. We want clean energy now.
Have other colleges and univesities purchased clean energy?
Yes! More than fifty colleges and universities all over the country have bought renewable energy including Connecticut College, Colorado College, University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, Swarthmore, Yale, Duke, Carnegie Mellon, University of Wisconsin, Western Washington University, American University, Catholic University, Wesleyan University, and Oregan State University,
How would Smith buy clean energy?
Companies such as Community Energy sell renewable energy in the form of Renewable Energy Certificates. A customer like Smith would give money to Community Energy who would use it to support wind farms which would generate electricity into the grid, offsetting the carbon dioxide and pollution created by Smith in our consumption of electricity.
Will there be a wind turbine on Chapin lawn?
No. Smith will be buying wind energy
through a certified green energy provider. Imagine the electric grid is a
giant bathtub being filled with electricity from many different faucets. Each
faucet is a different generation source, for example, nuclear, fossil fuel, and
wind. Every time you turn on a light switch, you drain a little electricity from
the tub. Clean energy doesn’t go straight from the windmill to Smith, it means
more of the electricity being poured into the grid comes from the emission-free
wind farm source, rather than a dirtier generation source. When Smith buys wind
we are increasing the amount of pollution-free generated electricity, or pouring
clean water into the tub, and decreasing the amount of dirty water poured into
the bathtub.
How mush is this going to cost?
It depends. In the Northeast, clean energy costs 2.5 cents more per kilowatt hour than regular electricity. This means that to purchase 10%, it would cost about $50,000 per year. However, products that are less local are much cheaper. Community Energy sells national wind certificates for $11,000 for 10% of Smith's consumption. Sterling planet could provide us 10% for only $8000. The price depends on where the energy comes from and what kind it is.
Will it affect financial aid?
No. Even with a more expensive product, the cost of replacing 10% of the college's electricity with clean energy is less than 0.01% of the school’s operating budget and only a 2% increase of the school’s electricity budget. The science center complex that Smith is planning to build is estimated to cost 80 million dollars and will affect the school’s budget much more than a 10% clean energy purchase.
What about the birds?
Wind Turbines have an unearned bad rap for killing birds. Wind turbines are built with large blades that spin slowly, making it easy for birds to evade them. Other sources of bird mortality, such as highways, pollution and even windows, are responsible for a much higher proportion of total bird deaths. In fact, by decreasing pollution in the air we will be protecting the health of animals and people.
How can I help?
You can Vote YES on Monday February 21, by going to www.smith.edu/voting. You can easily make sure your housemates and friends vote too! To volunteer or join the mailing list, contact [email protected]!
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