The UC Board of Regents authorized a systemwide energy deal with five in-state utility companies this month to combat rising utility costs, help reduce internal spending and work toward the university’s goal to generate 10 megawatts of energy from sustainable sources by 2014.
The companies will grant $61.4 million toward the university’s sustainable-energy plan, which includes 900 individual projects, by 2011.
But going green isn’t cheap, especially in the context of this year’s systemwide budget cuts and an ailing state economy. The university must find an additional $186 million to meet the projects’ needs.
‘Ultimately, the university has to be carbon-neutral,’ UC Director of Energy and Utilities Dirk van Ulden said said. ‘If you want to make a target that’s 2014, it’s going to take some money.’
The university will generate $178 million of the funds with short-term loans sold as a bond in the market. The remaining $8 million will be drawn from campus auxilary reserves.
Despite their initial cost, Van Ulden said the changes will eventually save the university up to $36 million in annual utility bills and address the current utility-budget shortfall of $40 million.
Sixth College senior Michelle Kizner ‘mdash; a leading planner for UCSD’s new Sustainability Resource Center, which is slated to open by this summer ‘mdash; said she supports upgrading campus utilities, but that educating the community is the most effective way to save energy.
‘With conservation, you have to change peoples’ behavior,’ she said.
Kizner added that although UCSD is investing in energy efficiency, the campus has not adequately addressed water conservation and efficient waste disposal. She suggested replacing lawns with community gardens as a means of reducing campus water consumption.
Vice Chancellor of Resource Management Gary C. Matthews has overseen the implementation of a number of energy-saving projects at UCSD over the last year, including the installation of solar panels on top of two campus parking structures during Fall Quarter.
The regents will distribute funds for the 900 projects according to their 2008 Strategic Energy Plan.
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