Samantha Chisam

Professor Marx

English 145

6 June 2007

Powering Up the Sustainability Movement

Nestled amid faculty offices on the remote south end of campus, the Powerhouse stands as Cal Poly’s oldest remaining building. Originally built by students in 1908, the Powerhouse supplied all of the university’s electricity and steam heat from 1910 to 1940 and was used for various academic and social purposes until 1990 when it was abandoned (Powerhouse). Evidence of the Powerhouse’s unique, historic architecture can still be seen in its intricately designed stained-glass windows, ornamental wrought-iron railings, and turn-of-the-century light fixture. Unfortunately, the Powerhouse now sits dilapidated and forgotten, with ivy overtaking its exterior walls and boards covering its windows. On May 7, 1993 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, but still nothing has been done by the university to restore the structure (Powerhouse). However, a group of five students in the Cal Poly “Sustainable Environments” minor saw the Powerhouse as more than just an old building and proposed an idea for its renovation. Their vision, known as the Powerhouse Project, involves transforming the historical Powerhouse into a physical hub for the student-led sustainability movement at Cal Poly.

At the heart of the Powerhouse Project is the need for sustainability. Sustainability consists of three tiers: society, ecology, and economy (Cal Poly Powerhouse). The goal of sustainability is to bring these three tiers into harmony by furthering social equality, protecting the environment, and developing economic prosperity. Due to the “unprecedented” challenges now facing our planet in these three areas, it is essential that today’s students gain a “holistic world-view” which can be done through education in sustainability (Cal Poly Powerhouse). With sustainable concepts in mind, students will be able to effectively address issues such as the world’s increasing population, environmental degradation, and non-renewable energy dependence (Cal Poly Powerhouse).

As an institution, Cal Poly has seen the need for economic, social, and ecological balance. For this reason, the Cal Poly administration has dedicated itself to implementing sustainable practices through its signing of the Talloires Declaration (Cal Poly Powerhouse). The Talloires Declaration is an “action plan for incorporating sustainability and environmental literacy in teaching, research, operations and outreach at colleges and universities”, and has been signed by over 300 university presidents in 40 countries (ULSF). Cal Poly is also compelled, along with all twenty-three California State University campuses, to implement the Revised Policy on Energy Sustainability and Physical Plant Management (Cal Poly Powerhouse). This requires the university to set goals for the purchase and generation of green power, reduction in energy use, and use of sustainable construction practices (Cal Poly Powerhouse). All of these policies contribute to the greater sustainability movement now being sponsored by the Cal Poly administration.

Not only is sustainability supported by the administration, it is also championed by Cal Poly’s student body. The leader of the student sustainability movement is the Empower Poly Coalition. The Empower Poly Coalition is a “multidisciplinary alliance” of sustainable-focused student organizations including the Bio-Diesel Club, the Hydrogen Energy Club, and Engineers without Borders (Empower Poly Coalition). The Coalition’s goal is to raise student awareness about sustainability and to “establish Cal Poly as a leader in stewardship of environmental, social, and economic resources” (Empower Poly Coalition). The Empower Poly Coalition is also the main supporter of the Powerhouse Project and has declared the “creation and maintenance of the physical sustainability hub” to be on the top of their priority list (Empower Poly Coalition). Furthermore, due to the dedication of the Project’s initial developers, approval from Cal Poly’s administration, and backing from the Empower Poly Coalition, the Powerhouse Project has become one of the principle elements of the sustainability movement at Cal Poly.

One means by which the Powerhouse Project will accomplish its purpose of advancing the sustainability movement is “teaching by example” (Cal Poly Powerhouse). First, the Powerhouse Project will model sustainability through the renovation of the historic Powerhouse building. By restoring the existing structure, the sustainable concept of “adaptive reuse” and waste reduction will be exemplified (Cal Poly Powerhouse). The construction of the remodel will integrate environmentally protective techniques including natural heating and cooling, rainwater collection and storage, solar power, and grey water systems (Cal Poly Powerhouse). In addition, sustainable economics will be demonstrated through the Powerhouse Project’s Green Spot Café. The Green Spot Café will be located in the Powerhouse and serve as a market, employing students and selling locally grown and produced goods (Cal Poly Powerhouse). The Green Spot Café exhibits the sustainable ideas of business self-sufficiency and enhancement of the local economy. The new Powerhouse will also lead by example through its strong, multifaceted recycling program (Cal Poly Powerhouse). Overall, the Project’s planners hope to implement a renovation design that will not only provide a home for the sustainability movement, but also showcase how sustainability principles can be implemented in a practical and profitable way.

The Powerhouse Project will further promote sustainability by supplying a physical home, or hub, for the movement. The Project will accomplish this goal through several means. First, the Powerhouse will house the Empower Poly Coalition headquarters (Cal Poly Powerhouse). The Coalition, as well as other sustainability groups, will use the Powerhouse facilities to hold meetings, develop projects, and reach out to other students (Cal Poly Powerhouse). The Powerhouse itself will serve as a sustainability information bank, offering students a wealth of knowledge. The Powerhouse will have a research room complete with scholarly journals, books, and internet access (Cal Poly Powerhouse). The Powerhouse will also supply students with information on courses in sustainability, campus events, and opportunities to get involved with the movement (Cal Poly Powerhouse). By laying the foundation of knowledge, the Project’s designers hope the Powerhouse will be the spark behind a passionately burning movement that encompasses all facets of the student body.

Although the Powerhouse Project has been greatly supported, there are strong arguments against the proposed project. The estimated cost for design and construction of the Project is between 1.5 and 2 million dollars (Cal Poly Powerhouse). Some advocate that the money to fund the Project is not available. However, the Project’s developers along with the Empower Poly Coalition have set out on a massive fund-raising campaign. Currently, 500,000 dollars has been pledged to the Project by a Cal Poly alumni and the Coalition is seeking out further support from alumni as well as a grant from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (Cal Poly Powerhouse). Funding for the Powerhouse Project will be difficult to obtain, but not impossible. Opponents of the Powerhouse Project also argue that a sustainability hub is not necessary. However, the need for sustainability is quickly becoming a pressing global issue. Therefore, if Cal Poly is going to equip its students with the skills they need for success in the world forum it is essential that it prepares students to address problems by implementing sustainable concepts. Fortunately for the university, the new Powerhouse facility will provide the means necessary to educate and empower Cal Poly’s students in sustainability.

By completing the Powerhouse Project, Cal Poly will not only have increased the strength of the sustainability movement on campus, but also bring the university national acclaim. According to California State Historic Preservation Officer, Wayne Donaldson, this type of adaptive reuse project has never been done before (Cal Poly Powerhouse). As a result, the Powerhouse Project will become a “legacy for Cal Poly” and set a “new national precedent” that other national and international projects will surely follow (Cal Poly Powerhouse). Implementation of the Project will secure Cal Poly’s place as a leader in the sustainability movement. Moreover, the Project has the potential of gaining a LEED certification of gold (Cal Poly Powerhouse). LEED certification is awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council, a national coalition of building industry leaders that has over 9,000 member organizations (USGBC). The Council bestows LEED

, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, to buildings that meet the “nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings” (USGBC). Cal Poly’s reception of LEED certification through the Powerhouse Project will further extend the university’s recognition in the sustainability movement.

In conclusion, the Powerhouse Project is an innovative endeavor that should undoubtedly be undertaken by Cal Poly. The Project will launch the university into the forefront of the sustainability movement that now so prominently dominates the global stage. By implementing the Powerhouse Project, Cal Poly will bring sustainability awareness to the campus, therefore better preparing its students for complex economic, social, and ecological challenges they will face in their careers. Furthermore, the Powerhouse Project is designed by students for students, exemplifying Cal Poly’s “learn by doing” philosophy. By means of the Powerhouse Project, Cal Poly will “generate a new form of power”: the “empowering of students” through sustainability education (Cal Poly Powerhouse).

Works Cited

Cal Poly Powerhouse: Ecomagination Challenge Application. Lavoie, Dalton. 1 Dec. 2006.

Powerhouse; Plaque. 22 May 2007.

ULSF: University Leaders for a Sustainable Future. “Programs: Talloires Declaration.” 2001. <http://www.ulsf.org/programs_talloires.html>.

USGBC: U.S. Green Building Council. “About USBGC.” 2007. <http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=1>