UA R2 (2016-2017): Endorsing the Recommendations of the Senior Leaders Climate Action Group
Conveyed to the President
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- Resolution:
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Day:
November 3, 2016
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Action:
Conveyed to the President
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Summary / Notes:
G. Kaufman to H. Rawlings
- File Attachments:
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Text Attachment:
Dear Interim President Rawlings,
It is my pleasure to convey to you University Assembly Resolution #2: "Endorsing the Recommendations of the Senior Leaders Climate Action Group."
The Assembly approved this resolution 13 - 0 - 2 following UA Resolution #7 from the previous academic year, wherein the Assembly requested the costs associated with reaching carbon neutrality by 2035 and requested a comprehensive analysis of various methods by which the University could do so.
On October 18, 2016 we received the costs and an analysis of those methods in a report from Bob Howarth, a member of the Senior Leaders Climate Action Group. By endorsing the SLCAG report, the Assembly recommends that the University invest in two options to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, known in the report as Earth Source Heat and Wind/Water/Solar (WWS):
1) Earth Source Heat: Build an enhanced geothermal system to circulate water through wells and heat-exchanger equipment; and
2) Wind/Water/Solar: Invest in wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, and hydroelectric power.
Our resolution asks the University administration to find the necessary resources to support the costs associated with achieving carbon neutrality. These costs are estimated to be $72 million per year. For a point of reference, the annual cost of business-as-usual is $42 million/year. Please note, however, that the $72 million/year figure does not include project phasing or external funding sources; if the University were to secure $480 million in dollars in external funding, the annual equivalent cost between Earth Source Heat/WWS and business-as-usual would become zero. Therefore, the Assembly has recommended prioritizing the search for those sources of funding.
Additionally, we ask for a formal progress report by October 2017 and each year thereafter.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
On behalf of the University Assembly,
Gabe
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Gabriel D. Kaufman
Chair, University Assembly
109 Day Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
p. (216) 905.7467
e. gdk36@cornell.edu