For the very few of you who missed out on the Campus Environmental Issues Committee meeting Tuesday, let me fill you in on the general idea: Macalester is not living up to it commitment under the Talloires Declaration to institute programs to mitigate harmful environmental impacts of our daily actions. There is one project, however, that could change that direction. Xcel Energy, our local utility, has offered to buy Macalester a small wind turbine to be installed in the area directly north of the football field.

I believe the student body must emphatically support this option so that it can be realized as soon as possible. The proposed turbine would sit atop a 90 foot tower so that the highest point would be 105 feet in the air. This is roughly 20 feet above the existing light poles. The wind turbine would generate approximately 18,000 kilowatt-hours per year, about the annual consumption of a house in the area.

By utilizing wind rather than coal (which accounts for 75 percent of Minnesota's electricity production) to produce energy, we can avoid the use of nine tons of coal along with the environmental damage associated with strip mining, cleaning, and transporting. These nine tons of unused coal will in turn prevent the emission of 18 tons of carbon dioxide, 180 pounds of nitrogen oxides and 155 pounds of sulfur dioxide. The value of this electricity production, with environmental benefits, is slightly over $1,000 per year. Based on these terms, the installation would pay for itself in about 15 years, half its expected life cycle.

The main issue opponents cite is the negative aesthetic impact of a 23-foot fan spinning 100 feet in the air. Noise from such a small unit is cancelled by the ambient wind, and would be less than a central air conditioner. I do not anticipate that it will spoil any panoramic views of Mac-Groveland or kill birds.

Still, the greatest benefits of this proposed wind turbine are not economic, but institutional, educational and psychological. What better way to demonstrate Macalester's commitment to producing global citizens than to highlight tomorrow's energy sources on campus? There is also a tremendous opportunity for outreach associated with this installation. Students or departments could create educational outreach programs to teach the broader community about the potential benefits of renewable energy and its role in a sustainable future.

It is vital that not only those privileged enough to come to Macalester learn about the economic, environmental and social benefits that can be realized through renewable energy. The psychological impact of people humming down Snelling in their cars and seeing that turbine spinning away could trigger thoughts and ideas with incalcuble value.

Xcel would buy the turbine and Macalester would be required to install it; let me repeat that: they are going to give us a $32,000 machine for free. We have to install it. This is not cheap—around $15,000, but we spent that much for Rah Digga at Springfest last year, and she only performed for 45 minutes. I don't even remember it. This thing will produce electricity for the next 30 years.

This project is contingent upon the city's approval. We need to gauge neighborhood support and address legitimate concerns. We need to publicize the message so that people see the benefits for the college, the community, and the city. Finally, we need to raise funds for construction, which is why I propose the senior class (and the junior class too) make the installation of the tower their gift to the college. What better legacy could the class of 2003 leave for the future?

A wind turbine on campus has potential to highlight the college's commitment to addressing the long term environmental crisis our generation faces, to demonstrate responsible consumption and to train students how to participate in the democratic process. Most importantly, it's an opportunity to translate a global problem into local action.