ASUC Senate Encourages University of California to Use Renewable Energy
Solar Panel Proponents Tout Cost Effectiveness

source: Jay Kapp Daily Californian 2002.10.4

UC Merced could be the first university with all campus buildings relying significantly on renewable
energy if a student-run campaign succeeds in convincing the UC Board of Regents next month.

UC Berkeley students from the Sustainability Coalition, along with Greenpeace, plan to urge the regents
Nov. 13 to adopt a systemwide policy of using 50 percent clean renewable energy in all new and
renovated buildings. The coalition also asks that the buildings contain a solar photovoltaic system to
provide 25 percent of the energy for the buildings.

Construction of UC Merced's first three buildings began in the spring, and the new campus is expected
to open fall 2004.

The ASUC Senate Wednesday night became the first UC student government to pass a bill supporting a
systemwide renewable energy program.

The bill, authored by Cal-SERVE Senator Gustavo Mata, asks the ASUC Senate to write a letter to the
regents requesting that all new and renovated UC buildings be certified at a silver standard of the
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a green building rating system.

Proponents of the bill said the installation of solar panels would offer UC an alternative to high energy
costs.

They added the project would be economically effective because the money saved from solar energy
would eventually pay for the initial costs of installing the panels.

"The final goal is to get an item on the regent's agenda and have some time to strongly suggest this
program," said UC Berkeley senior Tanja Roos, a member of the Sustainability Coalition.

The bill also stipulates that ASUC External Affairs Vice President Jimmy Bryant send a copy of the bill
to the UC Student Association urging them to pass a similar resolution.

Berkeley College Republicans Senator Paul LaFata provided the sole opposing vote, although he said
he did not oppose the use of solar energy.

"You need to be cautious with such technology," LaFata said.

LaFata added a proper amount of research had not been conducted on this proposal.

Members of the coalition expect a feasibility report for their plan to be released Oct. 15. They also plan
to hold a panel discussion with professors and various students groups to gain support.

Student governments at UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara and UCLA are considering legislation similar to
the bill passed here, Roos said.

Jay Kapp covers the ASUC. E-mail him at studentgov@dailycal.org.