{"id":5274,"date":"2013-05-29T12:03:17","date_gmt":"2013-05-29T19:03:17","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/sustainability\/?p=5274"},"modified":"2014-03-10T14:21:30","modified_gmt":"2014-03-10T21:21:30","slug":"20-of-bellevue-college-energy-from-coal-students-organize","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/sustainability\/2013\/05\/29\/20-of-bellevue-college-energy-from-coal-students-organize\/","title":{"rendered":"20% of BC Energy from Coal, Students Organize"},"content":{"rendered":"

Students are\u00a0bringing greater awareness of Puget Sound Energy’s relationship with coal to the Bellevue College community. As one of the largest energy providers in the state of Washington, PSE has taken great steps towards the introduction of alternative and cleaner sources of energy for its customers and energy conservation measures that are directly benefiting Bellevue College. With continued investments in local wind farms, hydroelectric dams, residential solar arrays, and other programs, PSE has become a trusted partner in building Washington\u2019s alternative energy industry.<\/p>\n

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Coal-loaded mine cart overlooking open-pit mine.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, over one-third of the energy powering the homes and businesses of PSE\u2019s customers continues to originate from coal, largely from the Colstrip Generating Station in Eastern Montana. Bellevue College has taken a number of measures to promote environmental sustainability throughout our campus and community and is striving for carbon neutrality. To\u00a0illustrate this, Bellevue College has turned to alternative energy sources, including a newly installed photo voltaic solar array and ground source heating and cooling. Right now the Bellevue College community has a unique voice in the matter with PSE’s headquarters in Bellevue and with many BC students and staff being PSE customers themselves. Students kicked off the campaign during BC’s Earth week when Seth Ballhorn from the Sierra Club spoke to students about the dangers of coal and PSE\u2019s Colstrip Generating Station in Montana. Colstrip, which is partially owned by PSE, has been\u00a0Rated the 8th\u00a0dirtiest Colstrip in the Nation and provides\u00a020% of PSE\u2019s energy. Montana locals living in the area have called it a detriment to their public health and the environment. Why is Coal a problem?<\/p>\n