A student-run campaign that is working toward sustainability and stewardship in the California State University system was approved by the CSU Board of Trustees on Sept. 21.

The campaign, “Renew CSU,” called for a revised policy to further conserve energy, reduce energy consumption and maintain practices of energy conservation that are currently occurring on various CSU campuses throughout the state.

The policy is comprised of four goals, said Tylor Middlestadt, student president at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and an environmental officer for the California State Student Association.

Energy conservation is the first goal of the policy. This goal plans to reduce total CSU energy use by 15 percent based on the last year by 2010.

Energy independence is another priority in the policy. This calls for campuses to increase onsite self-generated energy through alternative methods, including solar, wind, biomass and co-generation plants. The policy sets a goal to increase its capacity of self-generated energy by 14 megawatts by 2014.

According to the policy, an increase in renewable energy purchases will be implemented. Currently, the CSU procures 15 percent of its electricity needs from Green-e certified renewable sources. The policy sets a goal for the CSU to reach or exceed 20 percent of its purchase of renewable sources by 2010.

The final goal, said Middlestadt, is the sustainable building design goal that requires all new buildings and renovations to meet LEED, high-performance green building standards. According to a press release from “Renew CSU,” the CSU is the sixth university system to require new buildings to meet LEED certifications or equivalent.

Joseph E. Merz, of the environmental studies department, said that Sacramento State has a great potential in taking a leadership role in this arena due to its resources as well as its proximity to the American River and the governor.

“The university has quite a bit of surface area and a wonderful delta breeze, providing opportunities for solar and wind power, not only in the production of electricity but for the heating of water and working spaces and classrooms,” Merz said.

He explained that through co-generation the university could produce electricity “in house” at small turbines based in some of the larger buildings and could also heat and cool parts of the campus by producing high-pressure steam. Compost could also be used to maintain the landscape on campus, he said.

Merz also said that the procedure could benefit the university.

“Not only could the university potentially save money in the long term, but we could be supporting a cleaner, healthier environment here in the Central Valley, which is much more attractive to the residents and potential students of the future,” he said.

The impact of meeting the goals will increase the national university clean energy purchasing by 20 percent. Also, by fully implementing the energy independence goal, the national onsite renewable energy at universities will nearly double and the universities in California, including the UC system, will have nearly two-thirds of the national’s onsite renewable energy of universities, Middlestadt said.

“When the entire policy is fully implemented and all goals are met, the estimate is that the green house gas emission will be reduced by 80,000 tons per year,” Middlestadt said.

With the rising costs of energy, the campaign is set to reduce the amount of money used in purchasing energy. Middlestadt expressed that the CSU had to begin investing in renewable energy and sustainable management practices in order to continue providing quality education at an affordable rate to future CSU students. The money used on purchasing energy comes from the same budget that our academic programs come from, he said.

“Energy costs are increasing which is taking money away from our academic programs,” he said. “In order, to maintain our programs, we need to decrease energy costs which can be done by investing in renewable energy, energy conservation and sustainable building design.”

The campaign started in November 2003 and was called after a policy victory in the UC system known as “UC Goes Solar.” “Renew CSU,” ran by students and coordinated by Green Peace, had a large number of support. Over the years, the campaign received 14,000 signature and letters of support from students, faculty, and staff.

California State Treasurer Phil Angelides, who is also the democratic candidate for governor, as well as California Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Nunez were among the supporters for this campaign.

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Nika Megino can be reached at [email protected]