TO THE EDITOR:
From the Dan River Coal ash spill to the federal investigation into their cozy affiliation with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Duke Energy has grabbed significant negative media attention of late. They now have the opportunity to step into the positive spotlight. The Association of Student Governments passed the clean energy resolution this weekend, calling on UNC-system President Thomas Ross and the UNC Board of Governors to pressure Duke Energy to power the 17-campus system with 100 percent clean electricity. It is now on the utility provider to fulfill the resolution’s demands, showing North Carolina they are serious about clean energy.
The UNC Sustainability Policy effectively frames the school’s dedication to sustainability, especially through its goal to achieve carbon neutrality by “2050 at the latest.” Yet we are sourcing more than 80 percent of our energy from a company that is heavily reliant on carbon-intensive fossil fuels with no plan to increase its share of renewable energy beyond three percent in the next 15 years. We are not math majors, but those numbers don’t add up.
It’s our University system, our legacy, our money. Why shouldn’t Duke Energy provide us with what we want? If we are to honor our commitments, we need to help Duke Energy make us 100 percent renewable by 2050, which Apple, Facebook and Google data centers have already done in the state. UNC has made progress with energy efficiency, but if we keep running on fossil fuels, our future remains in question. We’ve stepped up to the plate; it’s up to Duke to join us.
Sharanya Thiru ’17
Tait Chandler ’15
North Carolina Student Energy Network
