CSU system recognized for using green energy

By Jackie Womack
The Collegian

Green energy has powered the California State University system into the number two spot on a Top 10 College and University Green Partners list compiled by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The list recognizes colleges that have made an effort to get electricity from resources that are environment-friendly, including solar, wind, biomass and geothermal sources.

The CSU system bought more than 75 million kilowatt-hours of green energy through Sept. 22 and generated 25 megawatts of its own energy, said Paul Browning, a media specialist with the CSU’s Office of the Chancellor.

Browning said the program not only helps the environment but reduces strain on the power grid in the summer. The program is part of a sustainability and conservation policy directed by the CSU Chancellor and the governor.

Dick Smith, director of utility management, said Fresno State is doing its own part to use green energy.

“Twenty percent of the power we buy is green,” Smith said.

CSU spends slightly more — 17 percent — to purchase energy from renewable sources for the 16 campuses that remain on Direct Access, according to Aaron Klemm, the CSU system’s energy program manager.

Direct Access is a program that allows the CSU system to go out on the open energy market to buy energy, according to Smith. He said Fresno State is a part of the program.

“The benefits at this point are non-monetary,” he said.

Smith said Fresno State has been using forms of green energy for several years. In 1997, the university put in a compressed natural gas (CNG) station for CNG vehicles. However, Smith said the station is currently closed.

“We’re in the process of getting it back up running and modernized,” Smith said. “We have 37 vehicles that run on natural gas.”

He said the fuel was much cheaper to use, costing under $1 per gallon to make.

The university also plans on investing more in alternative energy.

“We’ve actually got a couple of [solar] projects,” Smith said.

One project, the International Center for Water Technology on the corner of Barstow and Chestnut Avenues, will generate about 45 kilowatts.

The other project is slated to be set up in parking lot V, across the street from the Student Recreation Center. Smith said they are planning to cover the parking lot and then use the roof to gather energy.

“We’re going to cover that whole parking lot with photovoltaic [cells],” Smith said.

“We’re in the final stages of putting together a contract with Chevron Energy Solutions,” Smith said.

Smith said the project will generate about 1 megawatt of electricity or enough to power 1,000 homes or enough to cover about 25 percent of the university’s base load of electricity.

Smith said green energy is not only about generating power, it’s also about saving energy. He added the new library was designed and is being built as energy-saving and as low-emission as possible.

Comment on this story in the News forum >>