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Table of Contents
 Context: 3
 Talking Points: 4
 Strategy: 5
 How it works / Goals: 6
 Recruitment Materials: 7 – 11
 SAMPLE Media Materials: 12 - 14
 Student Body President Endorsement letter for
ASG Clean Energy Resolution: 14
 SAMPLE ASG Resolution : 15 - 17
2
Context:
Duke Energy:
●
After its merger with Progress Energy in 2012,
North Carolina based Duke Energy is the
nation’s largest utility company and raked in
more than $1 billion in profits last year.
●
Because Duke Energy has monopolized the
energy options in North Carolina, owning
roughly 83% of the energy utility market in the
state, students in the North Carolina Student
Energy Networks are organizing to fight back!
4 of the 17 schools Student Body Presidents
have signed endorsement letters which support
a Clean Energy Resolution that the Association
of Student Governments will hear on their
scheduled meeting in late February.
●
●
In North and South Carolina, where Duke sells
almost all the electricity, the company’s energy
mix only includes 1% renewable energy right
now and over the next 20 years they only plan
to increase than amount to about 2.5 %. Other
utilities around the country are already
achieving 20% or more clean energy right now,
and North Carolina has massive potential for
offshore wind and solar energy, but Duke
Energy is not investing in renewables, despite
the UNC System’s carbon neutrality
commitment of 2050.
Duke Energy is the largest electric utility in the
United States, and has publicly expressed
concern about climate change and support for
clean energy, but its continued support for the
American Legislative Exchange Council
(ALEC) undermines those rhetorical positions.
The UNC System:
●
The UNC System (17 public institutions)
pay Duke energy roughly $230 million a
year in utility bills. Collectively the UNC
System is one of Duke Energy’s largest
customer. This is about $1,000 per student
in energy bills, which will continue to
increase as Duke asks to raise rates for their
outdated coal plants and risky business
model.
History: NCSEN and Operation Duke 2012 – 2013
academic year:
The initial plan was to build strong relationships
with UNC System administrators asking them to be
clean energy heroes and stand up to Duke Energy,
leveraging their purchasing power. NCSEN’s
SMART Goal for 2012 – 2013 academic year: Push
Thomas Ross (UNC System President) to send a
letter and meet with Duke Energy regarding
bringing more clean energy to the UNC System by
summer 2013. Hard work, across campus
collaboration, strong grassroots organizing, proper
tone and frame at the grass tops level allowed
NCSEN to WIN its initial goal for Operation Duke.
Details:
●
3 In person meetings for strategy development,
building relationships, and training around
organizing skills. Multiple campuses
represented at each meeting.
●
6 Meetings with UNC System administrators,
2 including UNC System President Thomas
Ross, 1 with Duke Energy on a renewable
energy tariff / rate class
●
3 Duke Energy bird dog events
●
1 letter sent from Thomas Ross to Duke
Energy requesting involvement in Duke
Energy’s upcoming green tariff energy program
●
15 media hits
●
3 public hearings against rate hikes attended
3
Operation Duke Talking Points:
1. Duke Energy is destroying communities and
the climate




Duke Energy is the nation’s largest utility,
operating over 16 coal-fired power plants
across the United States. 8 are in North
Carolina. These plants are a big part of
what makes Duke the third largest emitter
of carbon pollution in the United States.
Communities across the US and the world
are already suffering the effects of climate
change. And scientists say that the
droughts, floods, heat waves, rising seas,
and intense storms that we’re witnessing
today will get much, much worse if we
don’t take drastic action to slow climate
change.
Every year, Duke’s coal plants burn
millions of tons of coal from mountaintop
removal —a practice that can wipe out
entire communities. And those same power
plants spew air pollution that cause asthma
and acid rain, and toxic coal ash that
pollutes the water with cancer-causing
chemicals.
Coal Ash pond leakage resulted in Duke
Energy being found guilty for polluting 400
private wells in a Wilmington-area
community known as Flemington. This
resulted in a Southern Environmental Law
Center suing Duke. Allegations in the
lawsuit include groundwater contamination
(from coal ash ponds) at all 14 of the
company’s coal power plants statewide.
2. Colleges and Universities should lead the way
on climate solutions

If society doesn’t take serious action on
climate change, young people could inherit
a planet that is drastically different from the
one we live in today. On the other hand, we
also stand the most to gain from a smarter,
more modern economy that is powered by
renewable energy.

Most schools have mission statements that
talk about building toward the future,
supporting the common good, and doing
the right thing. With so many politicians in
the pockets of big corporations, it’s up to us
to lead by living up to those words.

Massive change always starts with young
people. If we can’t get our own campuses
to be the cutting edge of the renewable
energy revolution, how can we expect the
rest of the world to change?
3. Our school should drop Duke’s dirty power
and go 100% clean energy

Fracking, nuclear disasters, mountaintop
removal, toxic coal ash spills—none of this
is necessary. Students here won’t stand by
another day while Duke and other energy
companies destroy our communities and
the climate. All communities—including
ours—deserve a future on a livable planet.

The solutions to climate change are all
around us. Campuses can find ways to use
less energy. Administrators can work to
make our facilities more efficient and
generate renewable energy on campus. And
the administration can put pressure on
Duke Energy to fossil fuels and invest in
real renewables now.

We’re calling on both our fellow students
and our administration to join the
movement for 100% renewable energy.
Strategy
In the past year NCSEN has targeted Duke Energy using the successful strategy of building a relationship with
UNC System President Thomas Ross, and asking him to send Duke Energy CEO a letter of intent asking for
more renewable energy.
This is Where You Come In!
NCSEN wants to work with students whose campuses fall within Duke Energy’s service territory to implement
similar strategies but on a campus level. It’s a fact that college campuses use a lot of energy. Duke Energy
wants campuses to continue to purchase energy from them, Duke Energy values campuses as large customers.
Unfortunately, it’s not easy to cut a contract with an electrical utility and simply switch to another company. In
North Carolina Duke has created an energy utility monopoly (controlling 83% of the state), giving ratepayers
(including campuses) no energy purchasing alternatives. Although most campuses cannot cut contracts with
Duke, NCSEN still recognizes campuses can help pressure Duke into meeting our demands.
This is why NCSEN has designed a two-prong strategy campaign for the Operation Duke campaign, so that
students within Duke Energy service territory can impact Duke on both a local and national level, meeting
NCSEN’s three demands.
1) Energy efficiency: Through efforts like the Appalachian Energy Summit, as well as other on-campus
sustainability initiatives like cutting energy consumption, we expect to save $1,000,000 over the next 20 years.
But we need Duke Energy to reduce load growth by 1% (measured as compound annual growth in 2012) from
2.92% to 1.92%. In so doing, reduce electricity use by:
●
●
●
●
33,000MWh (3% below 'business as usual) by 2015
100,000MWh (8% below 'business as usual') by 2020,
182,000MWh (12% below 'business as usual') by 2025 and
284,000MWh (16% below 'business as usual') by 2030.
2) Power Purchase Agreement: We are asking the the UNC System to issue a Request For Proposal for 400MW
of renewable energy capacity capable of delivering 1,000,000MWh of energy to the UNC system and award the
contract effective at of the beginning of the next fiscal year (July 2014.)
3) Distributed renewable resources and storage: Most importantly we are asking the UNC System Board of
Governors to sign a resolution calling upon Duke Energy to install for the UNC System:

Source 10% of total electricity from renewables and efficiency by 2015, with a minimum of
75,000MWh coming from on campus renewables & storage.

Source 25% of total electricity from renewables and efficiency by 2020, with a minimum of
182,000MWh coming from on campus renewables & storage.

Source 60% of total electricity from renewables and efficiency by 2030, with a minimum of
557,000MWh coming from on campus renewables & storage.

Source 100% of total electricity from on campus renewables & storage by 2050.
5
How It works:
Part 1:
We need to organize the UNC System student base to build grassroots pressure on Duke Energy and UNC
System Board Of Governors through media, an ASG Resolution(s), petitions, days of action, and other creative
tactics on campus. This will help us pass a Clean Energy Resolution in April 2014 and bring about a direct
response from Duke Energy that moves them toward bringing online renewables for the UNC System.
Part 2:
We will continue to work with UNC System President Ross to exert his full influence and power to bring about
more renewable energy and storage without having to wait for the Board of Governors. This can take several
forms, but for now we will continually explore the most effective means of his power, to signal to Duke Energy
that the UNC System is serious about bringing about renewables.
Campaign Goals by the end of academic year 2014:
1) 8 public sign a Student Body President Endorsement Letters, culminating in 1 ASG resolution signed at the
February 21-22 meeting at NC State University
2) 10% of the UNC System signed onto petition; 2,200 students (public)
3) At least 16 media hits - 1 per campus that gets petitions / letters signed
4) 1 coordinated Day of Action with at least 6 campuses participating during the Spring Semester calling out
Duke Energy and calling on UNC to be Clean Energy Heroes
6
Recruitment Materials:
Post carding / petitioning / tabling is the fastest way to recruit new people for your campaign. Post carding /
petitioning enables you to recruit volunteers, educate, distribute literature, build visibility, and gather support.
Post carding/ petitioning tips:

Set a goal. 15 petitions an hour, where 5 people check the “get involved” box. Adjust your technique
and tactics to increase this hourly rate.

Hot Tip: Contact information is key - make sure you work hard to get folks email and phone number so
we can follow up with them and call on them for events, days of action, etc...

Bring food and music to attract people, and a camera to record the event.

If you’re setting up a table, stand in front of the table, not behind it.

Hot Tip: you don't need a table, all you need is a busy area and a clipboard!

Be friendly, smile, wave at people inviting them to speak with you. Confidence is key!

Petition in teams of at least 4 people for 2-hour shifts – you’ll have more fun with more people.
Recruitment Rap:
“Hi! How’s it going? Do you like clean renewable energy?
Great! My name is [name]. I’m with the Operation Duke campaign/ [insert campus group name]. Currently our
campus is buying dirty energy from Duke Energy a company that [operation duke talking points]. Our campus
buys Duke’s dirty energy as a result we are contributing to climate change. Science links climate change to
droughts, floods, and more severe storms [feel free to add climate change facts]. We can take action though; we
are calling on Duke Energy to source 100% of our total electricity usage from renewables and energy
efficiency, with no additional cost to us.
Our campus needs to move towards renewable energy and this change will help us reach carbon neutrality!
Students like you and me are working across the state on the Operation Duke campaign to implement local
energy projects and pressure Duke Energy, America’s largest utility to shift towards renewables.
We want Duke to commit to implementing renewable energy projects for the UNC System now. Can we count
on you to show your support for this campaign that calls on Duke Energy to do the right thing?
Great! You can sign this petition here. You should also put down your email address and phone number, then
check the get involved box so we can contact you about getting more involved with the campaign. Thanks!”
7
Sample Petition Language (we recommend quarter sheet sized petition cards):
North Carolina Student Energy Network
To: UNC System President Thomas Ross & Peter D. Hans, Board of Governors Chairman
I am urging you to pass a clean energy resolution that calls upon Duke Energy to provide
the UNC System with 100% renewable energy. The UNC System has committed to be carbon neutral by 2050,
yet our main energy provider, Duke Energy, has a current energy mix that consists of mostly coal and natural
gas. This energy mix inhibits us from reaching our carbon neutrality goal while also driving catastrophic
climate change. Duke Energy also controls 83% of the energy market in North Carolina, creating a monopoly.
Duke Energy needs to provide the UNC System, who pays roughly $230 million annually for electricity,
renewable energy options.
Again, I urge you to be clean energy champions by passing a resolution ensuring 100% renewable energy
sources be provided to the UNC System from Duke Energy.
Name ___________________________________
Email __________________________________
Phone # _____________________________________
Get Involved!
Class / Group Rap:
Class / Group raps are a great way to gain more postcards, educate the masses, get the word out about the
campaign in general, and advertise upcoming events. These raps can also be given in front of a campus
organization / group and along with postcards, you can ask the group to be a coalition partner by endorsing the
campaign and helping implement the campaign.
Class rap tips:

Contact a professor or group president at least one week before giving the class or group rap to see what
day/time works for you to stop by their class or meeting. Stopping by a professor’s office to ask in
person is best, followed by asking them on the phone, or lastly, writing them an email.

Hot tip: Renegade rap. Grab a professor as she/he is walking into the classroom, politely ask if they
will let you make an announcement before class starts as folks are coming in or the first 3 minutes of
class.

When asking professors if you can give a class rap, first focus on professors of environmental subjects
and professors you have a relationship with. Don’t forget to cast a wide net and make sure you also
target the largest classes (Bio 101).

Don’t do all the raps yourself. Also, arrange for volunteers to give raps to their classes, too. Make sure
to bring more than enough postcards to hand out to all the students while you're speaking, have other
volunteers hand out and collect the post cards

Give clear instructions about filling out the post cards. Ask folks to pass the cards to the front when
complete. Being excited, passionate and making eye contact with students is helpful. Expect to get
roughly 15% of the class / group to fill out the post card
8
Sample Class/Group Rap:
[Thank the professor / group president, and if it’s okay for you to write your contact info on the board.]
“Hi! I’m [your name] with [campus environmental group / NCSEN]. We’re running the Operation Duke
campaign. Currently our campus is purchasing energy from Duke Energy. Duke is the largest utility in America
[duke talking point]. When we purchase Duke’s dirty Energy we are contributing to run away climate change.
Climate change is linked to droughts, floods, and more severe storms [feel free to add climate change facts].
Luickly, we can do something about this. [Your Campus] buys a lot of energy from Duke Energy, and the UNC
System as a whole buys roughly $230 million dollars worth of electricity from Duke Energy. As large
customers our campuses need to be demanding 100% of our total electricity usage from renewables and energy
efficiency, with no additional cost to us.
Our administrators need to be clean energy champions, moveing us towards renewable energy so we can reach
our carbon neutrality [ensure your campus has a carbon neutrality goal]!
That’s why I ask you today to show your support for the climate, clean renewable energy and the Operation
Duke campaign by signing this petition, which urges UNC system administrators to pass a clean energy
resolution that calls upon Duke Energy to provide
While you are signing, there are lots of ways to help with our campaign. We’re organizing events and actions,
contacting media, gathering signatures, and working with administration to encourage them to pressure Duke
Energy.
If you’re interested in getting more involved with our campaign please fill out the postcard with your contact
information and check the “get involved box,” and we’ll keep you updated about how you can help convince
Duke Energy to provide us with 100% clean energy.
Thank you for listening, I hope you will consider getting more involved with our campaign. Thank you,
[Professor/ President], for giving me the time to speak. Have a great day and please send the postcards down to
the front of the room so I can collect them on my way out!
Phonebank:
Phone banking is an effective tactic to reach larger numbers of people in a short amount of time. It builds your
group’s confidence as you call new students, and helps turn out people to your events.
Recruitment math: Always use the rules of halves, and work backwards from your goal:
Say you want 50 people at an event.
You need 100 people to say ‘yes’ that they’re coming, because ½ won’t show up.
That means you need to get 200 people to pick up the phone.
Which means you need to dial 400 numbers.
And you need 800 people to put their phone numbers on your petition.
This means you need to get 1600 petitions, since usually ⅓ of people check the volunteer box and put their
phone number (if you’re doing solid recruitment raps!)
9
Materials to prepare for a phone bank:
1. Volunteer Sign-in Sheet
2. Phone Bank Packets
-Script
-Call lists
-Tally sheet
-Talking points
-Pens
3. Phones & chargers
4. Water & snacks
Sample Phone bank Script:
Hi, is ___________ there? {SMILE WHILE YOU DIAL!}
Hi, __________, this is ___________, (I’m a volunteer/ STUDENT) with [group]. How are you doing?
Great!
I wanted t
You signed our interest sheet a few days ago, so I’m calling to inform you about the campaign and our
upcoming [insert event]!
[One sentence about the campaign- Climate Change, Duke Energy, UNC System, 100% Clean Energy]
At the upcoming event, there will be [event logistics], fun people, and we’ll have a great time!
It’s [insert time and place] and we’re going to [insert activity]!
We want to get as many students there as we can to to show our support for the campaign! Do you think you
can make it?
[If “yes”] Great! Let me give you the details again. Do you have a pen?
Awesome! We’re looking forward to seeing you [time, location, date]!
[If “no”] Okay, no problem! Can you [club name or NCSEN] on facebook, this way you can stay up to date and
find out about future events?
Thanks for your time! Have a great night, ______
10
Coalition Sign-On Letter
Engaging other student groups or associations on campus to sign on in support of your campaign is an effective
way to show broad support for your campaign.
Sample Coalition Letter:
Our campus purchases energy from Duke Energy, the largest utility in America. [Duke campaign messaging
and facts].
This energy results in [campus] contributing to runaway climate change, which science says causes droughts,
floods, and more severe storms. To help reduce our dependence on Duke’s dirty energy we are urging UNC
System President Thomas Ross & Peter D. Hans, Board of Governors Chairman to pass a clean energy
resolution that calls upon Duke Energy to provide UNC system with 100% clean energy.
Duke Energy needs to provide safe, clean, renewable energy, like wind and solar, at no additional cost to the
UNC System.
Name:
Signature:
Organization/ Company/ Department:
Title / Position:
Date:
‘
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How to Attract Media
No matter what you are doing—a rally, a march, a roundtable discussion, even post carding—you’ll want media attention
to raise the profile of your campaign. It is critical to have your issue covered in campus, local, and even national media
outlets. Getting media attention tells the story of your struggle for campus to implement your energy project and put
pressure on Duke Energy, inspires students to join your campaign, and makes your school’s administration more likely to
listen to your demands.
Note: All of these media materials are examples not templates, please
work with the NCSEN for more details.
Media tips:







Give your media pitches and send media advisories to reporters a week before the event.
Call the reporter three days before the event, one day before the event, and the day of the event to confirm they are
attending.
Practice a pitch call to a reporter before calling. You’ll want to be quick (2 minutes tops) and explain why this
event is important to a news outlets’ readers/viewers.
Be persistent when calling reporters. Sometimes it can take 10 calls to get a reporter on the phone (don’t leave
messages).
Be friendly and listen to what the reporter has to say.
Prepare a “press packet” for members of the press who attend the event, including the media release, contact info
for speakers and organizers, and other background campaign documents.
After the event, give pitches to media outlets that did not come and send them press releases.
Sample Media Phone Pitch:
Reporter: Hello?
You: Hi, [reporter’s name]. This is [your name] from [College/University]. I’m calling to let you know that next Thursday
we are holding [event/ action] at [location] to bring attention to our campaign demanding the Association of Student
Governments (ASG) pass the Clean Energy Resolution that the North Carolina Student Energy Network and students
across the state helped draft. While also pressuring Duke Energy to shift towards clean renewable energy. [Explain how
energy project will reduce energy demand from Duke] [Duke Energy messaging] We’re expecting [sexy detail – lots of
people, cool visual, keynote speaker, etc.] Does this sound like something you would cover?
Reporter: Sure. Can you send me a press advisory?
You: Absolutely. I’ll send you an advisory. Is your email still [reporter@email.com]?
Reporter: Yes. I’ll look for it.
You: Great. I hope to speak with you soon, thank you.
12
Sample Media Advisory:
MEDIA ADVISORY
[Month Day, 2012]
CONTACT: [First and Last Name, Student Organization, College/University, phone, email]
Students call on [campus] to implement [local energy project] and ask administrators to pressure Duke Energy.*
WHAT: Students from [College/University in Town, State] are [Action / Activity] to show support for the Association of
Student Government Presidents, from all 17 public colleges in the UNC system, passing a Clean Energy Resolution that the
North Carolina Student Energy Network drafted. [campus] has gotten our Student Body President to sign an endorsement
letter supporting the resolution and students are out to show their support of the legislation.
Students are also calling on [target] to meet with Duke Energy representatives and request Duke Energy provide our
campus with 100% clean, renewable energy options, like wind and solar, at no additional cost to the University. Students
say Duke Energy is [operation Duke talking point(s)]
WHO: Students from [College/University in Town, State]
WHEN: [Month Day, 2011]
WHERE: [Location] [Directions: how to get to location from popular spots in this town or city]
VISUALS: [15 FT cardboard wind turbine – only add for newspapers, and TV outlets not Radio.]
*Change the headline to be more specific about what your event is
Sample Press Release:
For Immediate Release
[Month Day, 2011]
CONTACT: [First and Last Name, Student
Organization, College/University, phone, email]
Students Hold Event to call on Student Body Presidents of the UNC System to pass Clean Energy Legislation and
ask administrators to pressure Duke Energy*
[CITY, STATE] – Students from [College/University in Town, State] are [Action / Activity] to request [campus] to
implement [local energy project]. Students say [energy project will do X, Y, Z]
Students are also calling on [target] to meet with Duke Energy representatives and encourage Duke Energy provide clean
renewable energy options. Students say Duke Energy is [operation Duke talking point(s)]
Students at [College/University] did [X, Y, Z]. Students strongly believe that the campus administration should use the
campuses purchasing power to influence Duke Energy in transitioning towards renewable energy. According to the UNC
System Sustainability Policy, all 17 schools are publicly committed to be carbon neutral by 2050 and with Duke Energy’s
current energy portfolio supplying 83% of North Carolina, there is no way that goal can be accomplished. This legislation
calls on Duke Energy to change that portfolio for its largest customer, the UNC System.
[Describe your event here in a compelling way. Include specific fact(s) about the energy project and universities ties to
Duke Energy.] “With each day that Duke fails to implement renewable and efficiency projects, the climate and health of
our campus and community is in danger.” said [Name of Student]. “I want to leave a sustainable energy future here at
[campus].”
This action is one of dozens taking place on college campuses within Duke Energy service territory across NC to to protest
Duke Energy [operation duke talking point(s)].
*Change the headline to be more specific about what your event is
13
Sample Letter to the Editor:
Subject: Duke Energy Monopolizing [Campus]
To the Editor,
Our campus buys power from Duke Energy. [Duke Campaign Messaging and Facts]. Our campus has an opportunity to
reduce the amount of dirty energy we are purchasing from Duke Energy’s fleet of utility scale coal, natural gas, and
nuclear plants by sourcing our power from renewable energy and energy efficiency. As a UNC System school, we are
publicly committed to reducing our carbon footprint with the goal of being carbon neutral by 2050. Without taking action
now, we will not hit that goal.
As a large purchaser of energy, our campus administrators should be meeting with Duke Energy representatives to ensure
[campus] can move towards a clean energy future by pushing Duke Energy to shift towards clean renewable energy.
I, along with [insert club / campaign name], have begun a campaign focused on urging our campus and community
members to support our campaign. Our goals are simple: to [campaign ask / talking point] and convince [target] to pressure
Duke Energy to provide renewable energy options. We need to act now for the sake of the world’s climate and the health
and safety of students and community members.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[College/University]
[Phone number, email address, street address]
Student Body President Endorsement Letter for Clean Energy Resolution
To: Robert Nunnery, Association of Student Governments President,
I ________________________, the Student Body President of ___________________, am calling for leadership from the
UNC System Board of Governors to approve the Clean Energy Resolution created by the Association of Student
Governments.
This resolution is the next step in allowing our prestigious 17-campus University of North Carolina System to leverage our
purchasing power, meet sustainability initiatives, carbon neutrality commitments, and act as leaders in academic excellence
to demand the best from our energy utility. Through this action, campuses in North Carolina will set a standard for what
colleges across the country can do to partner with their utility providers.
The University of North Carolina System spends roughly $227 million a year on energy. Unfortunately, more than 80% of
that energy is sourced from an energy grid reliant on fossil fuels which is holding us back from reducing our greenhouse
gas emissions.
Over the next 20 years, Duke Energy, the UNC School System’s main utility provider, is only calling for a 1% increase in
their renewable energy portfolio. Yet the UNC System’s sustainability policy mandates we achieve carbon neutrality by
“2050 at the latest.” Without adopting a clean energy transition plan which includes more energy efficiency and distributed
renewable energy storage, this commitment is unattainable.
This is why I am proactively endorsing the Clean Energy Resolution alongside the _______ students that have signed
petitions across the UNC System, to ensure the UNC System can attain our prestigious goals.
Thank You,
__________________________
Date: __________________________
14
NOTE: This is a DRAFT ASG resolution. The final version will look very similar
but this is very much a DRAFT version NOT the final version.
ASG Resouliton
RESOLUTION NO. XX
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY
WHEREAS, According to the University of North Carolina Sustainability Policy in the UNC Policy Manual as 600.6.1,
adopted on 10/09/09, “The Board recognizes that the goals of this policy range from short-term to long-term and adds
further emphasis on the importance of the aspirational nature of the highest ideals of sustainability. The University’s
General Administration, in collaboration with the constituent institutions and affiliated entities, shall pursue the appropriate
enabling legislation and funding to implement this policy. The Board delegates authority to the President to implement the
following sustainable practices to apply to each constituent institution and, when appropriate, General Administration and
affiliated entities.”
WHEREAS, the Policy also states that “The President shall develop and implement best practices, guidelines, and
implementation plans necessary to achieve the goals of this policy to the constituent institutions and affiliated entities. This
policy shall be reviewed every two (2) years by the President, and any necessary revisions and modifications shall be
recommended to the Board for its consideration,”
WHEREAS, “The University shall develop a plan to become carbon neutral as soon as practicable and by 2050 at the
latest, with an ultimate goal of climate neutrality”,
WHEREAS, The Appalachian Energy Summit, an effort undertaken by President Ross and the UNC System, has initiative
goals to, “Focus on initiatives that will cumulatively save the university system in excess of $1 billion over 20 years by
reducing and stabilizing the average annual energy expenditure, currently equaling $1,000 per student as well as targeting
costs associated with the university's rising annual $226 million expenditure on energy,”
WHEREAS, the UNC System President Thomas Ross sent a letter to the CEO of Duke Energy in July 2013, stating, “The
UNC System has improved energy efficiency significantly, yet compound annual gross square footage additions of nearly
3% will make meeting that ambitious goal more challenging,”
WHEREAS, “Therefore, it is the policy of The University’s Board of Governors (the “Board”) that The University,
including General Administration, the constituent institutions, and affiliated entities, shall establish sustainable
development and resource management, or “sustainability” as a core value of institutional operations, planning, capital
construction, and purchasing practices,”
15
WHEREAS, “The University of North Carolina (“The University”) is committed to leading the State of North Carolina as
an environmental steward that endeavors to proactively and effectively manage its impact on energy, water and other
natural resources,”
WHEREAS, the clean energy economy currently provides approximately 15,000 jobs in the state of North Carolina;
WHEREAS, North Carolina is the only state in the Southeast with a Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio
Standard;
WHEREAS, North Carolina is currently ranked sixth in the United State for installed solar capacity;
WHEREAS, prices for renewable energy sources, specifically solar energy, continue to decline and become more
affordable to build, own and operate; and are providing affordable and reliable electricity nationwide;
WHEREAS, energy efficiency is the least-cost means of satisfying potential new demand;
WHEREAS, the UNC System values its collaborative working relationship with Duke Energy Progress and looks forward
to more success in the future.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT GOVERNMENTS THAT,
RESOLVED, The UNC System calls on Duke Energy Progress to partner with the UNC System to help meet its carbon
reduction goals by decreasing its reliance on fossil fuels, including transitioning from coal to electricity provided by clean
renewable energy sources; while continuing to meet the company’s obligation to provide affordable and reliable electricity
to all customers 24-hour/day 7-days/week.
RESOLVED, The UNC System further calls on Duke Energy Progress to continue and expand its investments in programs
supporting energy efficiency through our measurement of compound annual growth reducing load growth from 2.92% to
1.92% and in doing so, reduce electricity usage by:
33,000MWh (3% below 'business as usual) by 2015
100,000MWh (8% below 'business as usual') by 2020,
182,000MWh (12% below 'business as usual') by 2025 and
284,000MWh (16% below 'business as usual') by 2030.
RESOLVED, The UNC System, in order to meet our carbon neutrality commitment, calls upon Duke Energy, our main
utility provider, to:
Source 10% of total electricity from renewables and efficiency by 2015, with a minimum of 75,000MWh coming from on
campus renewables & storage.
Source 25% of total electricity from renewables and efficiency by 2020, with a minimum of 182,000MWh coming from on
campus renewables & storage.
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Source 60% of total electricity from renewables and efficiency by 2030, with a minimum of 557,000MWh coming from on
campus renewables & storage.
Source 100% of total electricity from on campus renewables & storage by 2050.
RESOLVED, The UNC System Association of Student Governments,
Read, approved and adopted this,
the
day of
, 20xx.
Appendix A: UNC System Presiden’t Ross Letter to CEO of Duke Energy
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