13-2 government meeting story

Busy Student Government Passes Resolution In Support of Question 2


Bill would give UMaine and Maine Community Colleges over 24 million dollars for energy efficient facilities


Orono, Maine --- University of Maine Student Government wrapped up a busy meeting last Tuesday that included passing a resolution in support of question 2 on this fall’s Maine-wide ballot. Question 2, which has a connection with Act LD 1810 passed for wind energy offshore in Maine, reads as follows:

Do you favor a $26,500,000 bond issue that will create jobs through investment in an off-shore wind energy demonstration site and related manufacturing to advance Maine's energy independence from imported foreign oil, that will leverage $24,500,000 in federal and other funds and for energy improvements at campuses of the University of Maine System, Maine Community College System and Maine Maritime Academy in order to make facilities more efficient and less costly to operate?

The University of Maine is taking on the offshore wind energy project as outlined in a recent amendment to the LD1810 bill, which focuses on making wind farms over 10 miles off the coast of Maine. The University will be developing the floating structures in which the windmills will sit on.

In addition to question 2 providing monetary support for UMaine in developing this technology, the question also proposes 24.5 million dollars in order to improve campus facilities to make them more energy efficient. The Student Government supports the passing of question 2 because it gives a lot of money to the university to become more green, something they have been trying to promote for the last couple of years through organizations such as the Green Campus Initiative.

Student Government passed five other resolutions just on amending financial policies of the student government, as well as a key resolution to continue the College Reader’s Program, the organization that gives the free newspapers on campus. Student Government also passed a motion to make a new podium for the Vice President in honor of Gustav Bruquette, who works in student affairs, but will soon be leaving to work in North Carolina.