Coal Free IU Campaign discusses getting rid of coal on campus

There was a sense of urgency at the “Coal on Campus: Coal and the Future of Energy at IU” discussion panel Thursday at the Indiana Memorial Union.

Panelist Michael Beczkiewicz, networking coordinator for the Southern Indiana Renewable Energy Network, began the discussion by emphasizing the immediate necessity of taking green, sustainable solutions to environmental problems seriously.

“At this time, we’re at an energy crossroads,” Beczkiewicz said. “It amazes me this isn’t front page news. When it does become front page news, it’s going to be too late.”

Jeff Kaden, University engineer and director of engineering services at IU , said IU is taking its energy consumption seriously and has developed a new project called the
Integrated Energy Master Plan. The IEMP will accept bids from contractors to analyze every aspect of IU’s energy use and offer specific projects that would help modernize and upgrade the University’s power structure, Kaden said.

Although IU has plans in the works to begin making a greener campus, Kaden acknowledged that it has been difficult to bring transformation.

“In some ways, this isn’t a coal or carbon question, but a dollar question,” Kaden said.

All the panelist were in agreement, however, that it is IU students who can have the most immediate and profound effect in reducing carbon use and energy consumption on campus.

“I think every student can kick a little bit of coal off of campus everyday,” said Bill Brown, director of sustainability for IU Bloomington. “It’s not all about spending money. Some of it’s simply about changing behavior.”

Kaden noted that if every computer would be put to sleep when not in use, it would save 70 percent of the energy used by those computers.  
And beyond practical considerations, Ben Brabson, professor emeritus of physics, urged students to get involved with environmental policy.
According to Brabson, the Kerry-Boxer climate change bill is working its way through Congress and would tax carbon pollution to compel corporations to switch to renewable energy sources.
“One thing you can do right now is call Lugar or Bayh,” Brabson said.
Kaden agreed with this sentiment.  
“I don’t think the students should underestimate their power to change IU energy policy,” Kaden said.
Lauren Miller, a sophomore and member of the Academic Events Committee in the Coal Free IU Campaign, said the evening was a great success and found a kind of inspiration in the message.
“When you’re doing things alone you don’t feel like it makes a huge impact, but when you put it all together, it makes a huge difference,” Miller said.