Candler Lowe, Campus Carrier Deputy News Editor
Repower the Region, a student-organized project, discussed the alternatives to coal-powered energy and cleaning up Berry at a panel on Wednesday at Ford Auditorium.
Students Against Violating the Earth (SAVE) member junior Michelle Carver helped to start the Repower the Region project. Carver thinks that because Berry is located near two power plants, this matter not only affects the region, but also directly affects Berry.
“Berry is within 30 miles of two coal-powered energy plants, so we definitely get the air pollution,” Carver said. “It is a relevant issue for students here.”
Carver played a major role in planning the event and said she was excited that the event would lead to conversations about topics like solar-powered energy and the dangers of fracking, and allow people to ask their own questions.
The panel, advertised as a town hall event, was meant to involve not only Berry, but the community that extends beyond the Berry borders. Several community members from the local area were in attendance.
“My hope is that there is community involvement and awareness of this issue, and I hope that people realize that coming to events like this and working with organizations they can influence local policy makers,” Carver said.
The panel consisted of Ian Karra, the organizing representative of the Beyond Coal Campaign at Sierra Club; Amos Tuck, river keeper at Coosa River Basin Initiative; Pete Marte, CEO of Hannah Solar; and Dana Redden, CEO of Solar Concierge and a solar Energy Consultant.
Much of the panel focused on ecological impacts of fossil fuel fracking and the problems that it can cause such as groundwater contamination, which Carver mentions that is nearly impossible to clean, air pollution and other health impacts.
The Repower the Region project began in February at a SAVE meeting. Karra gave a presentation about coal to students in attendance. His talk inspired Carver to focus on educating her community about moving away from fossil fuels and moving toward renewable energy sources.
Dean of students Debbie Heida said that the goal of Repower the Region was laudable. She also mentioned that Berry has done much sustainability work over the years.
“Part of the challenge to that has been that we rely on Georgia Power, and because of coal-burning plants, it is not always considered clean power when you do you an overall assessment as to whether you’re making progress on helping the environment as a campus,” Heida said.
According to Carver, Berry agreed to go carbon neutral by 2050. She hopes Repower the Region can make that possible earlier than planned.
“We think Berry could do this sooner by implementing renewable energy sources, either by purchasing it or installing panels on campus,” Carver said.
Carver hopes that there will be more events for Repower the Region in the future and is looking for different ways to get students involved.