Students Unanimously Choose EarthEra at Western Washington University
Following a competitive process in which providers were reviewed for their environmental merit, Western Washington University chose EarthEra renewable energy products for their green power needs. Using a methodology developed by economics professor Dan Hagen, students, faculty and staff analyzed various companies and products. The decision to use EarthEra was "unanimous," according to Rose Woofenden, President of Students for Renewable Energy at WWU.
"The winning proposal yielded the best 'bang for the buck,' combining a very high level of environmental benefits – particularly in terms of anticipated reductions in CO2 emissions" said Ron Bailey, an operations manager at WWU.
The EarthEra program multiplies the effect of typical renewable energy and offset purchases by using every penny of revenue to build more wind and solar power facilities in America. EarthEra is the only program in America that provides purchasers such a 100% connection to renewable energy construction.
From a commitment to green energy and waste reduction to environmental courses, WWU incorporates sustainability into many areas of campus operations and academics. For a number of years, WWU has played a leading role nationally in the purchase of renewable energy. Following student approval of a fee that funds the purchase of 100-percent renewable energy, Western was recognized by the EPA as one of the nation's Top 25 Green Power Partners in 2005. Since that time, many other universities have followed Western's lead and committed themselves to support renewable energy through the purchase of renewable energy certificates.
Choosing EarthEra demonstrates Western's continuing commitment to provide leadership in this area by developing and applying a method for improving the effectiveness of the University's green power purchases. The EarthEra purchase was paid for through Western's $7 Renewable Green Energy Student Fee.
"The most important part of this process is that it was truly guided by the student voice in collaboration with the administration. This relationship has been crucial in all projects we have accomplished. We both saw that something needed to be changed in how we were spending our student dollars, and we joined together to change it. This is the foundation of what SRE stands for," said Alyssa Cudmore, Vice President for Students for Renewable Energy. "Through this decision, we are setting a precedent for colleges, organizations and companies nationwide that more factors – than solely financial – must be taken into account...this is a big step, and we are very proud that Western is taking it," said Cudmore.