An open letter to Ohio University President Roderick McDavis:
As a co-founder of the OU Ecohouse, I appreciated the stirring words you shared in your speech dedicating that project as you stood under its solar panels. It was 2006, and you spoke affirmingly about how the environmentally sustainable principles of the Ecohouse should be extended throughout the campus and how OU could become a model to other universities. In 2007, I recall again how proud I was that OU was recognizing the reality of the planetary climate crisis when you signed the University Presidents Climate Commitment.
Many campuses are now generating and purchasing significant amounts of renewable energy. Here in Ohio, the University of Toledo is moving toward complete elimination of fossil fuel dependency. Ohio State University recently made an amazing commitment to purchase 25 percent of its electricity from NW Ohio wind farms.
OU took positive steps, creating one of the largest campus food composting facilities in the country. It is moving to eliminate dependency on coal for heat — which is commendable. But natural gas is not renewable and is not clean, as it still produces 50 percent as much global warming gas as coal. There are also environmental issues related to how it is obtained and large-scale leakage from gas lines.
Also, OU is still buying its electricity from AEP, which means it is coming from coal. To be consistent, OU must strive to eliminate dependence on coal for both heat and electricity. OU has released a Climate Action Plan with the following statement: “A soft goal of 25 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is established for Fall 2032.” If OU were to let this timetable play out, it would translate into 25 years from the year it signed.
Right now, OU is being presented a wonderful opportunity for major emission reduction to be achieved in as little as 3 years. Here in SE Ohio, the groundwork has been laid for what would be the largest solar farm in the eastern U.S. On a former strip mine site, no fewer than 250,000 solar panels would be installed. Its name, “Turning Point,” is representative of the shift that must be made in our region (and throughout the world) if humanity is to prevent the crisis from escalating out of control. For many, this powerful symbolism inspires hope.
As one of the largest consumers of electricity in the region, project developers state that if OU were to purchase electricity on a comparable scale to what OSU has already done with wind power, the economics would tilt toward being able to build this facility. Would this not be an enormous source of pride for OU?
Every single one of OU’s 21,000 students will be touched by the climate crisis enveloping our planet. Does not OU have a moral responsibility to act on their behalf? In SE Ohio, a wonderful opportunity is being presented for us to choose the latter. Will OU seize this historic moment and help it become our “turning point”?
Gary Houser is a resident of Athens County active in environmental protection and sustainable energy. He is co-founder of the Ohio University Ecohouse and has worked as a consultant for Athens City Council on green energy projects.
