SEC to join MSU ‘Day of Action’

GVL / Anya Zentmeyer 
Vince Panozzo, president of the Student Environmental Coalition

Anya Zentmeyer

GVL / Anya Zentmeyer Vince Panozzo, president of the Student Environmental Coalition

Anya Zentmeyer

UPDATE: Due to scheduling constraints, the SEC has cancelled their trip to MSU today, April 13.

On Friday, the Grand Valley State University Student Environmental Coalition will make its way to Michigan State University in East Lansing to show solidarity between universities an effort to remove a coal plant from Michigan State’s campus.

MSU has the largest coal plant on a campus in the country and the board of trustees and president are meeting on Friday to discuss an un-ambitious plan to have 40 percent clean energy by 2030 without a timeline and plan when to make the change,” said Vince Panozzo, president of GVSU’s SEC.

On the event’s Facebook page, creators of the group wrote: “Michigan State University has the largest on-campus coal plant in the United States, burning over 200,000 tons of dirty, dangerous coal every year. For over two years, the university has failed to prioritize students’ concerns about the health and environmental impacts of burning coal on campus — but these students aren’t giving up. In fact, they’re speaking truth to power and demanding MSU transition to 100 percent clean energy like wind, solar, and geothermal.”

The effort is being organized through Greenpeace, who are facilitating transportations by carpool to MSU’s campus that students can connect with online. To get connected through Facebook, type “Day of Action for 100% Clean Energy at MSU” into the search bar.

“We’re going to rally with our fellow students to say we want 100 percent clean energy,” Panozzo said. “Now is the time to do it, and we’re being joined by other students across the state as well as the Midwest.”

Panozzo asked that any students at GVSU interested in joining the effort or just getting more information should contact the SEC by email at [email protected].

[email protected]