Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.58
Liaison Tom Twist
Submission Date June 12, 2020
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Bates College
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.33 / 2.00 Tom Twist
Sustainability Manager
Facilities
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Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:
No

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:

Bates is an active member of the Maine Independent Colleges Association (MICA), an organization that lobbies statewide for renewable energy. Our President, Clayton Spencer, is our spokesperson and in attendance at the meetings. MICA frequently testifies on behalf of renewables, often before the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC). Most recently, the group testified in opposition to a proposed electric rate structure that would stifle development of large-scale solar in Maine.


Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level?:
Yes

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:

Bates is an active member of the Green Campus Consortium, a group of Maine colleges and universities that explicitly exist to further environmental policies and practices around the state, as well as sitting on the board of the Solar Energy Association of Maine, which is a think tank which advises on solar legislation in the state. This is all done with the explicit consent and expectation of our leadership. Bates also holds an advisory seat on the Maine Climate Council, a group which is tasked with coming up with a plan for Maine to reach carbon neutrality by 2045. Bates sits on the Buildings & Energy working group.


Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the national level?:
Yes

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:

Our president Clayton Spencer has most recently signed the letter of petition, We Are Still In, advocating to the US president against withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord.

https://www.uwsp.edu/sustainability/Documents/We%20Are%20Still%20In.pdf


Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the international level?:
No

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
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A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
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A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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