In May 2007, the university took a major step in committing to an eco-friendly campus: Former university President Dan Mote signed the American College and University Presidents’ Campus Climate Commitment, pledging this institution’s dedication to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the campus operations and moving toward the goal of carbon neutrality. That significant public commitment was the first eco-friendly building block that has continued to grow to this day – largely with the help of student advocates.
After launching the nation’s first energy degree in 2009 and developing subsequent energy-related majors and concentrations, this university has shown its commitment to education about sustainability. But it didn’t stop there – a month later, Residential Facilities switched cleaning products to help improve air quality and students’ and workers’ health. The university has introduced more energy-efficient shuttle buses and put solar panels on the roof of the North Campus Diner. Changes caused by widespread efforts and individual activism have helped this university’s sustainability grade gradually improve from a “C” in 2007 to an “A-minus” in 2010.
State leaders are starting to take notice of environmentally friendly movements too, with Gov. Martin O’Malley introducing the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act last year. Although it ultimately failed, student activists made offshore wind energy a priority and have been lobbying hard for its implementation ever since. They got their chance again this year: O’Malley once again introduced the legislation, and this time it seems to have a fighting chance.
O’Malley’s proposal includes creating a wind energy farm on the state’s eastern coast. The offshore wind energy farm is set to include 200-megawatt wind turbines between 10 to 30 miles off the state’s coast. The bill is projected to cost the state $1.7 billion over the next 20 years and would provide for cleaner energy use, as well as give the state an economic boost with a new renewable energy market.
Last year, it seemed all students knew about wind energy was that it included pretty windmills. But this year, activists’ continued support of the legislation may be the key to showing state lawmakers how important this investment into eco-friendly practices is. Monday, about 44 university activists rallied in Annapolis behind the legislation, and it seems to be helping: The House of Delegates passed it with an overwhelming 88-47 vote on Friday, and the Senate is expected to vote in the coming weeks.
From the bill’s inception, legislators have been skeptical about passing the measures because of its financial uncertainty; they feared it would see too high a hike to their monthly electric bills. But proponents have tried to quell those fears by revising the original legislation to decrease the cap on how much it will cost state residents.
This new market, which would potentially help the state’s economy, seems to be the biggest draw. By cutting down on fossil fuel emissions, the state will ensure a cleaner, safer environment for its residents, all while creating more jobs at the actual farm itself.
Though it may cost more in the immediate future, as proponents for the bill recognize, the long-term benefits may provide the best alternative for propelling the state and its sustainability measures into the future.
Although the legislation’s fate is still uncertain, student activists should be applauded for their dedication to the cause. We’ve come further this year than the last, and with continued student advocacy, this state can continue to move forward.
This bill aligns with the university’s ever-growing goals to promote sustainability. Additionally, the university will ultimately profit from the benefits it could have on the economy. Though the bill remains somewhat controversial among government officials, it so closely aligns with this university’s initiatives toward sustainability that there is really only one option: Support the state’s energy makeover.
