As the co-leaders of the campaign, we want to clarify what this win means, why it matters, and how we got here. Our win is a testament to the power of grassroots student organizing. But despite our excitement that the Claremont Colleges have moved away from fossil fuel-driven electricity, we must recognize that this decision should have been a no-brainer for the Colleges.
Tag: Milo Slevin
5Cs to switch to 100% renewable electricity
Presidents across the 5Cs announced Friday, April 17 that the colleges will transition to 100% renewable electricity by enrolling in the Clean Power Alliance (CPA), following a yearlong 5C Environmental Justice (5CEJ) campaign to phase out fossil fuels.
The “Claremont Off Fossil Fuels”campaign proposed the Colleges stop purchasing electricity from Southern California Edison (SCE), an investor-owned utility that primarily relies on fossil fuels, and instead enroll in the CPA, a not-for-profit energy provider that offers 100% renewable electricity options. The Claremont Colleges’ Business and Financial Affairs Committee and the consortium-wide presidents committee have now approved the proposal.
Milo Slevin PO ’28, campaign co-founder, said the transition marks a concrete shift in how the Colleges demonstrate their commitment to sustainability by taking action that immediately reduces carbon footprint.
5CEJ Field Day draws student support for renewable energy switch at the 5Cs
After garnering student support and attention at its far-reaching field-day, 5C Environmental Justice (5CEJ) met with the Claremont Colleges’ Business and Financial Affairs Committee (BFAC) on March 5 to lobby for a consortium-wide transition to renewable energy sources, while Claremont McKenna College’s student body voted that night to support the campaign.
Though BFAC’s decision is still pending, if approved, the proposal will advance to a consortium-wide presidents committee for final consideration.
In addition the field day showcased sustained student interest, as their proposal advances through the institutional review process, according to Hope Dragseth SC ’28, the 5CEJ outreach lead on the campaign’s working group.