We oppose the inadequate actions from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) and Middlebury College to assess the possibility for electrification at 787 Munras Avenue, a student housing project in Monterey, California. Senator Kamala Harris last Wednesday expressed her frustration at an administration that “doesn’t believe in science” for failing to deal with the climate crisis. Will we let Middlebury College fail to address the climate crisis too? Absolutely not. 

Timeline of events:

• In May 2020, MIIS acquired “a two-story, 29,000-square-foot office building at 787 Munras Ave that it plans to convert to housing for up to 80 students.” 
• In July 2020, current students and alumni wrote a letter to the MIIS administration asking that it “publicly commit to integrating sustainability at the project’s core and agree to full transparency on the project’s development to the Student Council and the Sustainability Council.” 
• In September 2020, we were told that keeping the natural gas infrastructure is necessary due to technical and financial considerations, and that net-zero goal is not achievable for the building despite the institution claiming to lead on the crisis facing our planet with Middlebury Energy 2028 initiative. Proof of a thorough assessment is absent and there is not sufficient evidence to fully conclude that powering 787 Munras Avenue with natural gas is the only viable option for the Institute.
• In response to the project having moved forward with requesting contractor proposals, faculty and students in the International Environmental Policy program at MIIS authored an open letter demanding that Middlebury College delay work on this project until a full analysis on the ability to eliminate fossil fuel use can be completed.

Residential and commercial buildings are responsible for 25% of California's greenhouse gas emissions. While electrifying one building in the whole state does not seem like much, it is these seemingly small actions that we need to keep global warming below 1.5 degree Celsius. 787 Munras Avenue represents a once-in-50-years opportunity to support federal, state and local climate efforts and eliminate the building’s greenhouse gas emissions associated with natural gas.

While Middlebury’s Energy2028 initiative pledges commitment to using 100% renewable energy, eliminating the use of natural gas and increasing investment in solar power by the end of 2028, students at MIIS are forced to face the harsh reality that the President Laurie Patton either did not think of the Monterey campus when signing off Energy2028, or that Energy2028 is exemplary of a contemporary phenomenon called “green washing.” 

We, the Net-Zero Student Housing Campaign, believe that accepting proposals from contractors at this point would be premature. We request that the decision proceeding with natural gas at 787 Munras be delayed until we can accurately assess the difference between investing in natural gas versus electric infrastructure. To make this investment in good faith, MIIS needs to consider the initial investment, the cost savings over time, the climate impacts, and possible financial incentives from Central Coast Community Energy. 

TO CURRENT MIIS STUDENTS: Your student body president, students in the IEP program and a group of alumni worked hard in solidarity to send a strong message to the administration urging them to walk the talk on sustainability at 787 Munras. We urge you to vocalize your disappointment to the administration in this survey for ignoring our collective voices in the past 4 months.  

TO OUR ALUMNI: During your time at MIIS, did you ever wish that our institution would truly be a leader in solving the world’s greatest challenges? We know that the climate crisis requires climate action, and we urge you to raise your voice in this survey in support of the current student body organizing for a decarbonized future.  

TO PROSPECTIVE MIIS STUDENTS: There is a chance that 787 Munras Avenue will be your future home. It is unjust to build student housing for you today that jeopardizes your future. We urge you before sending in your application, let the administration know your position on 787 Munras in this survey. We will regularly update news on the campaign right here, so check back and come to your own conclusion whether this is the right institution/administration to put your tuition dollars behind.

© Photo by Dennis L. Taylor at Monterey Herald