Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Opinion / Editorials / Energy conservation aids universe

Energy conservation aids universe

February 28, 2007 by Optimist Editorial Board

Global warming and the need for energy conservation are upon us.

OK, so they have been for some time, but after former vice president and 2000 presidential candidate Al Gore reheated the public’s awareness of environmental responsibility with the Oscar-winning documentary “An Inconvenient Truth,” it is the most convenient time to take action, even at ACU.

Beyond the simple methods of recycling bins and picking up litter around campus, ACU can prove it is empathetic towards environmental issues by choosing to power its campus through a practical and environmentally safe method: wind turbines.

President of the Outdoor Club Beth McElwein, senior education major from Farmersville, has been gathering signatures for a petition calling ACU to switch from its environmentally damaging method of burning coal to the renewable source of wind through the use of turbines. The Optimist supports this solution and so do more than 200 students that have already signed the petition.

Though initially turbines are expensive they pay for themselves by providing a renewable resource – a resource that isn’t scarce in Texas.

According to the American Wind Energy Association, Texas is No. 2 in the nation behind North Dakota in the list of the nation’s top 20 states with wind energy potential. Although California was the first state to harness wind energy potential, Texas and 15 other states have greater resources to use wind as an energy source.

Texans are taking advantage of that potential – Texas leads the nation with 2,768 wind power projects – even here in Abilene.

Dyess Air Force Base, located on the south side of Abilene, receives energy from the world’s largest wind farm. According to the Energy Intelligence Group Inc. the wind farm became operational in Oct. 2006 and now fulfills 100 perecent of Dyess’ energy needs.

Baylor University, another Christian campus, recently signed a 10-year deal to use wind power to help provide the 735-acre campus’ electricity needs.

In conjunction the Wisconsin-based energy company, WPS Energy Services, Baylor officials estimate that the university will shave $2 million off its usual $13.5 million energy bill.

These nearby examples prove that wind source is a feasible and practical option to powering a community like ACU. If the wind of West Texas can power a university larger than ACU and an one of the largest Air Force bases in the nation, why not us?

As a Christian university, ACU is called to take care of the earth God has given us. And this is the best opportunity to do so.

Filed Under: Editorials

Other Opinion:

  • Not-so-friendly competition

  • Sing Song in the Expo Center presents an exciting opportunity

  • Micro-trends are a danger to Gen Z and the planet

About Optimist Editorial Board

You are here: Home / Opinion / Editorials / Energy conservation aids universe

Other Opinion:

  • Not-so-friendly competition

  • Sing Song in the Expo Center presents an exciting opportunity

  • Micro-trends are a danger to Gen Z and the planet

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257 Retweet on Twitter 1521918832738144257 1 Like on Twitter 1521918832738144257 8 Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178 Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178 Like on Twitter 1521607087553458178 18 Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

3 months ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

3 months ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved