UW River Falls thinks it's in the best position to carry out the Doyle Administration's goal of using renewable energy in 5 years.
Chancellor Don Betz says his campus already uses less energy than most of the System schools but he wants UW River Falls to be an energy lab for the rest of the state. He hopes other cities, towns and counties will see how it can be done at UW-River Falls and try the same thing.
Betz doesn't think they will be completely off the grid in five yearsbut using the newer energy efficient student center as an example, heplans other renovations that involve solar panels and wind power.
But the Chancellor says the energy transformation won't be done on the backs of students by raising tuition. The state has to pay its fair share.
Even if the legislature and the governor's office have a different political look after the November election, Chancellor Betz says this sustainable energy project is needed and goes beyond partisan politics. He says it's just good for Wisconsin and will be done sooner or later.