University of Colorado at Boulder Student Energy Resolution

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted in March 2001

Source File: http://ecenter.colorado.edu/greening_cu/policies/ucsu_energy_res.pdf

Text:

Whereas the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently came out with a report saying human-caused emissions contribute substantially to global warming.

Whereas the IPCC report also suggests that if greenhouse emissions are not decreased, average surface temperatures could be expected to increase between 2.5 and 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 to 5.8 degrees Celsius) by the end of this century.

Whereas the cost of natural gas has been steadily increasing which will, in turn, raise energy costs for campus.

Whereas energy use on campus has been increasing by 5% a year for the past ten years.

Whereas the University of Colorado-Boulder has been and continues to be an environmental leader.

Whereas students have demonstrated their commitment to clean energy by voting to purchase wind power by a 5:1 margin.

Whereas the survey conducted by Aspen Research Associates in 1999 shows that over 88% of students support CU investing in energy efficiency throughout campus to delay the possible need for a new power plant.

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

1) UCSU calls on the Boulder campus to minimize energy use consistent with the health and safety needs of campus

2) UCSU strongly supports the reduction of campus emissions through a campus-wide lighting upgrade and other efficiency measures.

3) UCSU urges the University to follow the students' leadership and expand campus use of clean renewable energy such as wind-generated electricity.

4) UCSU urges the University to begin replacing fleet vehicles with hybrid electric ultra-low emission vehicles.

5) UCSU urges the campus to maintain the existing strong energy conservation standards for new construction and strengthen them where possible.