Apex Clean Energy donates $25K to Lake Land College

Apex Clean Energy has made a generous donation of $25,000 to Lake Land College to support STEM scholarships. This donation comes as Apex is working on multiple renewable energy projects in the region served by Lake Land College. These projects have the potential to generate enough energy to power over 400,000 homes.

By contributing to Lake Land’s STEM scholarship, Apex Clean Energy aims to support the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. These goals include:

1. Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
2. Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
3. Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
4. Goal 13: Climate Action
5. Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Scientists, environmental advocacy organizations, and concerned citizens have long advocated for the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy sources like wind, solar, and hydropower. Fossil fuels have been widely documented to have negative effects on the environment, including water and air pollution, habitat destruction, ocean acidification, and global warming. In contrast, renewable energy sources offer a sustainable solution to energy needs without these catastrophic environmental impacts.

Furthermore, the clean energy sector has experienced significant growth over the past decades, leading to various non-climate-related benefits. These include:

• Decreased Cost: The cost of wind and solar power has fallen by 47% and 71% respectively in the past decade.
• Job Creation: The clean energy sector already provides almost 443,000 jobs in the US, with the potential to create 1.5 million additional jobs by 2030.
• Revenue Generation: A federal carbon tax on energy-related carbon emissions could raise $1.87 trillion over the next decade.
• Health Benefits: Increased clean energy use has been shown to decrease the incidence of heart attacks, asthma attacks, and other cardiovascular issues.
• Reliability: Clean energy sources have proven to be more resilient and reliable than fossil fuels, especially during disasters.

The United States has made significant progress in clean energy production. Currently, clean energy sources provide power for 58 million American homes, accounting for approximately 20% of the nation’s power. Wind power is the leading source of clean energy, followed by hydropower, solar, biomass, and geothermal energies.

The increasing affordability of clean energy has incentivized the phasing out of coal plants, which are major contributors to carbon emissions. Additionally, the transition to renewable energy sources has the potential to reduce health disparities, as marginalized communities often bear the brunt of fossil fuel pollution exposure.

The donation made by Apex Clean Energy to Lake Land College for STEM scholarships not only supports the education of future clean energy innovators but also contributes to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals. Clean energy offers numerous benefits, including decreased cost, job creation, revenue generation, improved public health, and increased reliability. The United States has already made significant progress in clean energy production, and the continued transition to renewable sources will help create a more sustainable and resilient future.