UM RELF
Looking after our funds and our future.
CUTTING DOWN COSTS WHILE CUTTING DOWN ON CARBON!
Photo courtesy of Sam Schultz
What is a RELF?
RELF stands for Revolving Energy Loan Fund and is a way that Universities can pay for energy saving and waste reduction projects. With a loan fund like this, the University is able to set aside money to implement projects, and then pay off the loan with the energy savings.
From renewable energy generators to solar water heating systems to new lights, there are tons of ways that campuses can make money and be more sustainable at the same time.
How does it work?
A low student fee of $4 per student per semester will create the starting pool of money. After that, as projects fund themselves through savings, the fund grows by collecting a little bit more than it pays out. This amount is adjusted for inflation and helps the RELF grow, just like money invested in a traditional mutual fund or stocks but with much less financial risk.
Other schools are blowing us away when it comes to sustainability efforts. Here is a partial list of schools that have a very similar program in effect:
MSU-Bozeman recently installed a wind turbine and passed a sustainability fee to do their part! Are we going to get shown up by the Cats?
We need to act NOW to reduce our energy usage and resource consumption. The planet and our pocketbooks demand it.
SIGN THE PLEDGE TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS REVOLUTIONARY PROGRAM!
RELF stands for Revolving Energy Loan Fund and is a way that Universities can pay for energy saving and waste reduction projects. With a loan fund like this, the University is able to set aside money to implement projects, and then pay off the loan with the energy savings.
From renewable energy generators to solar water heating systems to new lights, there are tons of ways that campuses can make money and be more sustainable at the same time.
How does it work?
A low student fee of $4 per student per semester will create the starting pool of money. After that, as projects fund themselves through savings, the fund grows by collecting a little bit more than it pays out. This amount is adjusted for inflation and helps the RELF grow, just like money invested in a traditional mutual fund or stocks but with much less financial risk.
Other schools are blowing us away when it comes to sustainability efforts. Here is a partial list of schools that have a very similar program in effect:
- University of Idaho
- University of Maine
- MacAlester College
- University of Michigan
- Harvard
- Tufts
- Connecticut College
MSU-Bozeman recently installed a wind turbine and passed a sustainability fee to do their part! Are we going to get shown up by the Cats?
We need to act NOW to reduce our energy usage and resource consumption. The planet and our pocketbooks demand it.
SIGN THE PLEDGE TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS REVOLUTIONARY PROGRAM!
