In 2000, the Environmental Leadership Center and the Northland College Student Association (NCSA) developed the Renewable Energy Fund proposal, which subsequently received approval from President Parsonage’s College Council, Campus Facilities Master Planning Committee (CFMPC), and Environmental Council. The REF serves to demonstrate the support of the student body for the College’s environmental initiatives with an annual investment in clean energy equipment for the campus. By supporting clean energy, the Northland College community will work toward accomplishing the following goals:
Goals:
Commit to Sustainability:
The REF furthers Northland College’s Sustainability Charter by modeling renewable energy on an institutional level, creating possibilities to integrate energy education into the Northland experience. In addition, the REF encourages the student body to become involved with and contribute to the college’s energy sustainability
Offset electrical production from Midwestern coal & nuclear plants:
The REF aims to meet Kyoto protocol for greenhouse gas emissions; bringing emissions resulting from college energy consumption 7% below 1990 levels by 2012. It will also reduce Northland’s contribution to the following: radioactive waste from nuclear fission; mercury pollution from coal combustion; and sulfur dioxide emissions from coal combustion, which are responsible for acid rain.
Lead the Way:
The REF creates opportunities that will encourage the faculty to develop a program for centralizing energy issues on campus. In addition, it will challenge the administration to complement the REF by investing in energy efficiency programs and to match student funding by seeking outside grant assistance. Through the REF, Northland will inspire other institutions to adopt clean energy. Finally, the REF will help Northland College produce all of the energy it requires from renewable sources by the year 2020.
Any Questions Regarding the REF should be directed towards the NCSA Director of Sustainability.