SAN FRANCISCO, May 15, 2001: Students at Connecticut College celebrated a win for the environment today as their University announced its commitment to support 100% Green-e Certified renewable electricity. The students themselves spearheaded the switch to the cleaner, environmentally friendly energy. They raised funds through bake sales to join the Connecticut Energy Cooperative, and successfully campaigned for a $25 increase in their student activity fees to pay the costs associated with purchasing renewable energy.

The Connecticut Energy Co-op is an electricity supplier based in Hartford, and pioneered the effort in New England to offer 100 percent, Green-e Certified renewable electricity. The Co-op will serve Connecticut College with renewable resources through its EcoWatt™, offering electricity at a price lower than the college's current electricity rate.

"Connecticut College students have challenged every other student body in America to accept responsibility for the energy they consume and the pollution their campuses generate," said Bob Maddox, co-op marketing director. The student body, organized by Sara Ziza and Kassie Rohrbach raised $1,500 to join the co-op as an organizing partner and circulated a petition seeking support for the $25 fee. The Student Government Association overwhelmingly supported the initiative and the college's Board of Trustees unanimously approved the measure on May 5.

Connecticut College's students have also pledged to reduce the environmental impact of the college through conservation. The co-op will assist students, staff and faculty in developing a strategic energy management plan, audit building energy use, suggest ways to use energy more efficiently and conduct educational seminars. As an organizing partner, the entire Connecticut College community will have access to all co-op products and services, including reduced lifetime memberships for their private use. "This program is very important to Connecticut College's on-going commitment to be environmentally responsible," says Ulysses Hammond, Connecticut College Vice President for Administration, "and all facets of the campus community were given an opportunity to weigh in on the decision."

According to the co-op, the College's purchase will reduce its sulfur oxide emissions (which causes acid rain) by 17,254 pounds per year, the emission of nitrogen oxide (which causes smog) by 3,612 pounds per year, and the emission of carbon dioxide (which is considered the cause of global warming) by 2.3 million pounds per year.

Green-e is the nation's first voluntary certification and verification program for renewable electricity products. The Green-e Program sets consumer protection and environmental standards for electricity products and verifies that Green-e certified products meet these standards. Inspired by the success of the recycling logo, the Green-e logo helps customers easily identify renewable-based electricity products. By setting environmental product standards and requiring companies to disclose information about their products, Green-e uses credible information to help consumers make responsible choices about the power they purchase.

Green-e is a program of the Center for Resource Solutions, a non-profit organization based in San Francisco's Presidio. CRS brings together diverse interests to preserve our environment, encourage sustainable economic growth; and promote clean energy for present and future generations. Dr. Jan Hamrin founded CRS and serves as the Executive Director. More information on the organization is available at http://www.resource-solutions.org

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