The Gustavus community is probably aware that there have been plans in place for several years to install wind turbines in the Linnaeus Arboretum. While wind turbines would be a pretty big investment, they would pay for themselves in a reasonable period of time, and then begin saving the school serious money.

We are closer than ever before to fulfilling this dream for the school. However, this summer the county enacted a new restriction on wind turbines, limiting them to at least a half mile from residential buildings, which would prevent us from placing them in the Arb. It may be possible for us to get an exception – a variance – to this new rule if the college is committed, but the college is – naturally – hesitant to make any commitment to the turbines before a variance is confirmed.

We need to show the college that this issue matters to the Gustavus community. My sense is that a large portion of the campus is supportive of this project, but uninformed and inactive. If we tell the Board of Trustees how important this is to us, maybe they would be more likely to take the risk and commit to the turbines, giving the county something to go on as they consider the variance. Maybe they would believe that the wind turbines aren’t just a fad, but are important to the future of the college.

Sarah Betzler ‘10