Michigan State University is explaining its new energy transition plan to a potentially global audience.
MSU president Lou Anna Simon hosted an online panel discussion about the new energy plan Wednesday, less than a week after its formal approval. The university’s strategy calls for producing 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2025 while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Gil Sperling says the federal government will watch MSU to ensure it remains accountable.
“We’re going to hold MSU to its promise by asking them to submit to us their transition plan, and also to provide regular updates about what they spend, what the impact is on energy; and we’re going to post this all publicly," Sperling says.
The Department of Energy will not impose sanctions if MSU fails to meet its promised benchmarks. Various student groups have criticized the plan as not being aggressive enough.
