Group protests OSU's use of coal-burning, seeks use of student funds

It looked like a strangely Goth biohazard team had invaded the Memorial Union Quad on Monday afternoon, as a group of black-clad young people in white surgical masks clustered around the quad's center.

There was nothing solemn about the group, however, as they stood chatting, singing to a lone guitar and occasionally turning handstands in the bright sun or linking arms to chant slogans about sustainability.

The group was holding a "Soot-In," to protest the use of coal-burning energy sources on campus and was hoping to raise awareness and support for a student government proposal that would increase the amount of student fees going toward renewable energy sources.

Organizer Naomi Tuinstra, an Oregon State University senior in environmental science, wore black cowboy boots and a black hat to compliment her coal-black outfit, finishing it off with a surgical mask to demonstrate the gritty effects of coal burning.

Tuinstra is an intern with Seattle-based Northwest SEED (Sustainable Energy for Economic Development) and was helping the Associated Students of OSU Environmental Task Force raise awareness about green energy. The students are hoping to gain support for an OSU student fee of about $8.50 per term, which would be used to buy something called "green tags."

Green tags are used to pay for the production of renewable energy, about one kilowatt hour per green tag, through a third party source, such as the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. This wouldn't mean that OSU would be shifting to renewable energy as its main source of power, Tuinstra explained, but OSU student dollars would support creating renewable energy and therefore shifting the market power toward the renewable side of the scale.

This economic encouragement will hopefully lead to more energy producers putting resources toward creating sustainable, renewable forms of energy such as hydropower and wind power, rather than continuing a dependence on coal and oil.

ASOSU will be voting on the fee increase in mid-February. Tuinstra said she's heard strong support from OSU students already. A survey last month of nearly 1,000 OSU students showed that 91 percent would support some form of fee increase, with 68 percent supporting the full $8.50 fee.

"I would rank OSU fairly highly" on the environmental awareness scale, Tuinstra said. Currently University of Pennsylvania is the campus with the largest commitment to green power.

Maarika Teose, also dressed in black, was encouraging students to stop and learn about renewable energy. Teose, who lives in a student cooperative on campus, said she tries to find many ways to conserve energy.

"The easiest way is to recycle," she said, and she tries to encourage simple acts of conservation, such as turning off lights.

Although Teose believes people her age are more aware than their predecessors about environmental issues, she doesn't see them taking action on social issues the way her parents' generation did.

"They're more conscious, but they're way too apathetic," she said.

There was very little apathy to be seen in the quad from the Soot-Off group, however, as they broke into cheerleader-style chants, thrust their fists in the air, and raised a shout to green power.

at a glance

A concert, sustainability fair and environmental art show takes place at 6:30 p.m. today in OSU's Memorial Union Ballroom. Musical guests include Stairway Denied, The Badfish Band, Sweater Club and Norman.

The event is free and open to the public.