WWU fee committee to hold forum on how to spend money from renewable energy fee

The Western Washington University Renewable Energy Fee Committee invites all students, staff and faculty to participate in an upcoming community conversation on the WWU Renewable Energy Fee from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, in Fraser Hall Room 4.

The Renewable Energy Fee has provided for the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits for the past five years and will return to WWU students for renewal in the spring Associated Students elections.

What should WWU use this fee for? Proponents of Renewable Energy Credits say that cheap RECs would allow the university to claim ownership of a large amount of green energy for the national grid. Some say that conservation and efficiency may provide for the largest local and environmental impact. Others who advocate for on-campus power production see biomass and wind as appropriate investments of student funds. All of these options, as well as others, could assist WWU to fulfill its commitment to climate neutrality. What will provide maximum benefit to the global climate, to WWU, and to future generations?

Forum panelists include:

• Brittney Honisch, co-president of Students for Renewable Energy
• Derek Nixon, co-founder of Students for Renewable Energy
• Kayla Henson, associate director for AS Environmental and Sustainability Programs
• Dan Hagen, professor of economics, WWU College of Business and Economics
• John Miles, professor of environmental ethics, WWU Huxley College of the Environment
• Ron Bailey, utility manager, Facilities Management
• Seth Vidaña, WWU sustainability coordinator, Office of Sustainability

The forum will be facilitated by Mike Pond, the AS VP for Student Life.