Background of Wind Energy at Carnegie Mellon
Carnegie
Mellon University aims to provide leadership in demonstrating the
need and importance of environmentally sustainable practices in our
places of work, our homes and our communities.
The commitment to wind power for five percent of the university's
total electricity needs is part of its overall energy management and
conservation effort.
Carnegie Mellon has evaluated the emissions of prospective electric
generation suppliers from the start of deregulation in Pennsylvania.
The Green Practices Committee, a university group of faculty and staff
with expertise in environmental issues, recommended the purchase of
renewable energy if possible. No bids for renewable energy supply
for a portion of our electricity needs were received the first three
years.
When Carnegie Mellon was preparing to re-bid its electricity supply
contract this year, Environmental Defense recommended two renewable
energy suppliers capable of providing Carnegie Mellon 5 percent of
its power usage for fiscal year 2002. Some faculty associated with
the Green Design Initiative (www.ce.cmu.edu/GreenDesign/) reviewed
the bids for emissions and recommended 100 percent wind power as the
best buy environmentally.
While the cost of wind power is somewhat higher (approximately two
cents per kilowatt hour) than conventional sources, Carnegie Mellon
has made this investment (1) to demonstrate the university's recognition
of the importance of development of renewable, less environmentally
damaging sources of energy, (2) to provide educational opportunities
for our students, faculty and staff, and (3) to help support the development
of wind power generation in Western Pennsylvania.
The Green Practices Committee is planning a "university challenge"
for conservation efforts to cover the extra cost of the wind power.
This will have the added benefit of reducing the university's overall
energy consumption.
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the Community Energy Press Release
