North American Windpower: Swarthmore College Increases Wind Power Commitment

by NAW Staff on Thursday 01 March 2007

Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pa., has committed to purchase 35% of its total energy use from wind power sources. The commitment represents the largest renewable energy purchase from a college in the state.

"We are very pleased that we have been able to increase the college's energy mix derived from wind power from 19 to 35 percent," says Alfred H. Bloom, president of Swarthmore College. "This goal was conscientiously sought by student groups for several years, and we are very proud to realize it."

Earthlust, a student environmental group, launched a campaign to bring renewable energy to the Swarthmore campus in 1997. While the college originally purchased 2% of its total energy from wind power, the percentage rose to 8.5% in 2005 due to continued student involvement. The group recently organized a student rally to urge the administration to increase the percentage of its power derived from wind. This helped spur the board of managers' decision to increase its commitment to 35% during its annual budget review meeting.

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