Union College
recently became a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
“Green Power Partnership,” a designation to honor businesses,
educational institutions, government agencies, municipalities, and
not-for-profit organizations that purchase power from renewable energy sources.
In the fall of 2003, Union converted 5 percent
of its energy purchases to power derived from windmills.
“We are pleased that the EPA
recognizes Union's commitment to cleaner,
renewable, alternative sources of energy,” said Union College President
Roger Hull. “In this day and age, we all have to do our part, and we hope
others will join us in this and other environmentally advantageous
programs.”
Although wind power costs slightly
more than traditional sources (about two cents more per kilowatt hour), there
is no pollution produced and no fuel needed in its production. The wind power,
which is part of the state's energy grid, is produced at the Fenner Wind
Project in Madison County, New York's largest wind farm.
According to the EPA, the goal of
the Green Power Partnership is to facilitate the growth of the green power
market by lowering the cost and increasing the value of green power. A strong
green power market will support new, clean technologies that will reduce the environmental
impact of electricity generation, the nation's single largest industrial source
of air pollution.
The College was first recognized
for its use and support of wind power at an award ceremony earlier this year in
Albany. The
event was hosted by two environmental groups, an energy developer and a state
energy agency. Union joined four other colleges as well as 10 municipalities
and six commercial businesses in New
York State
to convert a portion of their energy purchases to power derived from windmills.
Other colleges in the state who
purchase wind power are Hobart & William Smith, Pace
University, Bank
Street College,
and the State University
at Buffalo.
To learn more about the Green
Power Partnership and to see the full list of members and honorees, go to http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/