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Environmental Studies Department |
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Campus Environmental Issues CommitteeMarch 21 , 2006
Attendance: Brett Smith (co-chair), Mark Dickinson (co-chair), Claire Briguglio, Angelina Lopez, Asa Diebolt, Richard Graves, Megan Bjella, Andrew Meeker, Mark Dickinson, Timothy DenHerder-Thomas, Dillon Teske. Brett opened the meeting by announcing that he is going to St. Thomas on April 19 th, during Earth Week, to talk about sustainability at Macalester. He is asking that people suggest projects or items of concern for him to report on including energy, green roof, MacBike, etc. and possibly a table with fact sheets. Brett also informed the CEIC about an ACTC collaborative grant program which must include at least 3 out of the 5 ACTC schools and can include others. He suggested the use of this grant for a possible collaborative environmental conference or environmental symposium next year. Madison Conference Angelina and others reported on a trip to Madison for the Minnesota Energy Coalition concerning Midwest renewable energy. At the conference, there were approximately 300 students representing 50 schools (40 students from MN representing 7 MN colleges). The conference focused on activist training, awareness, legislation, and directions the Midwest is going in terms of energy. MacCares and other org.s have a lot of environmental events coming up. On Monday, March 27 th, MPIRG is leading a rally at the capital for a renewable energy standard of 20% by 2020. On April 1 st is Campus Camp Wellstone which will occur in conjunction with the Dorm Wars (which will run until April 22 nd, Earth Day) and Fossil Fuels Day. MacBike Dillon Teske, the MacBike student worker, reported on MacBike and was happy to announce that all of the bikes are currently checked out. The program will be receiving more bikes; 8 are arriving this Saturday. MacBike is currently in contact with Claire Stoscheck in Quito, Ecuador where she is running a bike program. Through bike sales, MacBike will help fund Claire’s program. Dillon reminded the CEIC of the bike drive on April 2 nd at the corner of Summit and Snelling. MacBike is also looking at providing some bikes for students to ride to the capital for the renewable energy rally. Dillon encourages students to bring their bikes into the MacBike shop located underneath 30MAC; his hours are Tues. mornings from 9:30-11:30 and Thursday nights from 6:30-8:30. With limited storage and the great number of bikes coming into the program, MacBike is considering giving bikes to students in poor condition and allowing them to come repair them. Mark comments that there may be some available garage space for MacBike. Green Roof Alese reported on the Green Roof, the garden above the fishbowl, announcing that installation will occur on April 14 th. The process will begin with set up of a container block system, followed by dirt and plants installed by students. Anyone interested in helping is welcome to come. Trash & Recycling Mark reported that Macalester has accepted the Vasco/Eureka bid as the new trash hauler/recycler. A new recycling program will most likely be implemented early April and trash in mid April. Mark noted that there will probably not be too many changes in the next 30 days but that the program will begin with end of year trash and recycling. This may also include clothing recycling which Habitat for Humanity executes, and possibly looking at outdoor event recycling for Earth Week. Brett suggested holding an open CEIC meeting with Eureka. Wind Turbine Timothy, Richard, and others reported on the wind turbine. They are currently editing and finishing a pre-proposal for both the revolving fund and the Carleton turbine. Timothy noted that there is an organization called the Community Based Energy Development in which Macalester pays an initial fee for a turbine and after 10 years, ownership flips and Macalester would receive nearly 100% of the profits (the turbine would pay itself back in about 3-4 years). Richard noted that the revolving fund will most likely be established at $100,000. Mark commented on the need to look at oil versus gas and the interplay between Macalester’s economic and environmental positions. Timothy announced that they are not sure if the wind turbine at Carleton will happen because Macalester would need to make a down payment of $110,000 in the next 3-5 weeks, which is nearly impossible. He said that they will still encourage Carleton to pursue the turbine and Macalester may or may not join. Athletic Facility Mark reported that a lot is happening with the athletic building and that the 2 nd version of the Duty Book is now on reserve in the library. There is a 2 nd workshop with INTEP on March 30 th. Mark also responded that geothermal, as it has been a prevalent topic of conversation, is part of the discussion. Brett concluded the meeting by announcing that there is a mercury hearing at the MN house on Thursday the 23 rd, and he will be taking a group of students to attend. He also informed the group about a program called Yards for Kids which promotes healthy, unpolluted grass areas. Brett suggested that we look at what makes a lawn qualify and see if Macalester can proclaim its lawns to be “yards for health.” Meeting adjourned at 12:50 pm. |
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