by Abigail Dixon
Intern Writer
The Solar Energy Society’s Renewable Energy Initiative (REI)
has been added to Student Government Association’s spring
election ballet.
Solar Energy Society President Ernie V. Hodgson said if enough students
vote to approve the plan, REI will set up a fund for the installation
of renewable energy technologies on campus.
“Students will be charged a $5 fee, which will go into the
fund for renewable energy systems,” Hodgson said.
Hodgson estimates the fund will raise $120,000-150,000 each year,
not including student fees for summer school.
“Appalachian State University will have access to the fund,
and the money has to be spent on renewable energy technologies,”
Hodgson said.
“A committee of students, faculty and administration will
be set up to research and decide what projects to undertake,”
he said.
Hodgson said the construction of renewable energy technologies will
include solar electric, solar thermal, wind and biofuel.
“Solar panels could be installed in street lights, the parking
deck and emergency phones on campus, and AppalCARTs could use biofuel,”
Hodgson said.
Hodgson said the Solar Energy Society proposed hypothetical situations
to incorporate solar water heating in the new recreation center
as well as a photovoltaic system to be installed on the roof of
Plemmons Student Union.
“Appalachian now uses a finite supply of fossil fuel energy.
PV solar panels change solar radiation into electricity. The power
is free, there is a never-ending supply and it is clean for the
environment,” Hodgson said.
“The initiative is important for Appalachian because it is
important to be a leader by showing other universities that renewable
energy technologies can work,” he said.
“The vote is a petition for the initiative,” Hodgson
said.
Hodgson said if enough people cast their votes for approval the
Solar Energy Society will present the initiative to Appalachian’s
Board of Governors for final approval.
|
