March 13, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — "Instead of changing the definition of renewable energy, the legislature should promote true renewable sources and energy efficiency measures in the hope of providing a more sustainable energy future for Indiana," writes
Samuel Leist,
DePauw University freshman and member of the DePauw Environmental Policy Project, in the Indianapolis Star. Leist offers a response to a recent column by Indiana state Senators Beverly Gard, Jim Merritt and Brandt Hershman, defending Senate
Bill 251, "which would radically alter the definition of renewable
energy to include energies that are neither clean nor renewable, such
as nuclear power and clean coal." Leist argues, "This bill exemplifies a trend in the
2011 legislature to get away from traditional renewable energy in order
to support more harmful energy sources."
The first-year student adds, "This bill exemplifies a trend in the 2011 legislature to get away from traditional renewable energy in order to support more harmful energy sources. In fact, three other bills have passed the House or Senate that also tamper with the definition of renewable energy by including the burning of coal-bed and landfill methane and the oxygen-starved gasification of municipal solid waste. The problem? These energy sources are not renewable, they are not environmentally safe, they pose a serious threat to human health, and they distract from true renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and geothermal energy."
Access his letter to the editor at IndyStar.com.
Last October, Sam Leist received a Bell Award for Youth Service for his volunteer efforts.
Learn more about the DePauw Environmental Policy Project (DEPP) in this recent story.