Newsroom

The Southern Energy Network works to combat climate change, advance renewable energy, and promote a smart, just energy economy by building a diverse movement of young people in the Southeast. We organize grassroots campaigns and provide education and training to empower new leaders and cultivate regional progress.

Check out news coverage from some of the actions that our student leaders are doing across the Southeast: 

Spring 2012

Day in the Life: Creating Climate and Environmental Awareness The Digital Bullpen- USF newspaper, April 24, 2012. "Jacquie Ayala, Campus Organizer for the regional organization Southern Energy Network, intercepts students on campus to raise awareness for climate and environmental issues at 2:45 p.m. on Monday, April 23rd in front of the Marshall Student center at USF." 

Shoreline Solidarity The Oracle- USF newspaper, April 24, 2012. "Members of the Student Environmental Association Stood outside the Marshall Student Center on Monday to support the Gulf Coast on the second anniversary of the 2012 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.  

Forum Seeks to Educate on Revolving Fund The Daily Beacon- UTK newspaper, April 23, 2012. "On Tuesday, April 17, almost 40 students, faculty and speakers filed into the Shiloh Room at the University Center to discuss the potential and positive effects of a revolving fund.  Speakers talked about potential solutions at this forum and collaborative discussion focusing primarily on energy efficiency. 

Day in the Life: Stand for a Cause, Stand for a Gulf The Digital Bullpen- USF newspaper, April 23, 2012.  "The University of South Florida's, Student Environmental Association, gathers students to take pictures for Southern Energy Network's 'Stand with the Gulf Petition'.  The petition is a tribute to the victims of the BP oil spill of April 20, 2010."

Senate Votes to Support New Student Fee, Renovate Reitz Room The Alligator, March 28, 2012. "The Student Senate unanimously passed a bill supporting the Student Green Energy Fund at Tuesday night's meeting.  The bill, which would be voted on for a final time next week, supports a fund for projects that would lower energy use on campus.  It also supports an 'energy fee,' which would cost students 50 cents per credit hour up to a maximum of $15 per semester.

Students Petition for a 'Green Fee' The Beacon- FIU newspaper, March 5, 2012. "Sustainable energy at the University could have a new source of financial support, of the Student Green Energy Fund is enacted at FIU. The SGEF would be funds gathered from a per-credit fee to promote energy sustainability at the University. At this stage, supporters of he SGEF are seeking to gain the right for students to be able to vote on whether they want the fund enacted." 

Youth Step Up to Help Environment The Daily Beacon- UTK newspaper, February 28, 2012. " With Knoxville gas prices reaching a nine-month high of $3.65 per gallon and an unseasonably warm winter closing with no cumulative snowfall, evidence for the need for conservation efforts is hitting right at home for many students.  According to Maria Rosales, ' It is up to these young people to be the primary movers in the green crusade.'" 

Mission Green Wants FAU to Add a Green Fee to Students’ Tuition and Fees University Press- FAU newspaper, February 27, 2012. "The plan is to add a fee to students' tuition by 2013.  This fee can be used to make FAU more energy efficient by using more clean and natural sources of energy throughout the university.  By adding this fee, FAU will be able to pay for things like adding solar panels to buildings on campus." 

Fall 2011

Students Support Green Energy Fee in Vote The Voyager- The University of West Florida Paper, November 8, 2011. "The University of West Florida is one step closer to implementing a proposal that would add 25 cents to $1 per credit hour to student fees to fund 'green' projects.  According to the Student Government Association, 560 of 823 students who voted in a November 2 referendum voted to support the fee" 

Over 200 March in Solidarity with Occupy Asheville and Against Keystone Pipeline Mountain Express, November 6, 2011.  "The nearly 250 college students from across the Southeast cheered, and began a march in solidarity with the Occupy movement and the national day of action against the Keystone Pipeline project.  The students from dozens of colleges as far away as Orlando, Fla. and Mississippi have been gathering this weekend at UNCA at the Southeast Student Renewable Energy Conference  (SSREC)." For photos click here

Sunday: Southeast Renewable Energy Conference Leaders plan march, rally in Asheville Mountain Express, November 5, 2011. "One year out from the 2012 elections, hundreds of youth leaders from across the Southeast will march and rally in Asheville on Sunday to call on President Obama to reject the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, a project that has been called "game over" for the climate." 

Obama Visit Leaves Impression on Central Florida Community WESH/ Channel 2 Orlando, October 12, 2011. "Hundreds from the Central Florida community went out of their way to become part of the President's visit on Tuesday.  Some were curiosity seekers, others wanted to make a point, and many others simply found themselves in the midst of the excitement." 

Environmental Groups to Progress Energy: No Nuclear Power in Florida WMNF 88.5 FM News, October 3, 2011.  " University students, the Florida YES Coalition, and members of the Coalition Against Nukes held signs and handmade solar panels, and chanted for several hours in the sun.  Since 2008, Progress Energy has charged its customers up front to build a nuclear plant in Levy County and update to their Crystal River plant.  Mandy Hancock is with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, and said the cost isn't worth it."

SPRING 2011

Rock the Vote, other national groups blast Florida legislature’s ‘assault on young voters' Florida Independent, May 4, 2011. "Young people are not sitting idly by as their rights are attacked. They've been mobilizing against the proposed legislation, rallying at the capital, testifying against the voter suppression bills, and lobbying their legislators, legislative leaders, and the Governor."

Students Protest Oil Spill; Groups Remember year-old BP Incident UGA Red and Black, April 20, 2011. "Students from environmental groups on campus participated in a protest Wednesday at Tate to commemorate the anniversary of the BP oil spill."  

For Young Environmental Activists, Obama's Now the One to Pressure LA Times, April 17, 2011. "Thousands of college students and idealistic young voters came in this weekend to learn organizing techniques aimed at pushing the country toward renewable energy."

Youth at Environment Summit Unhappy With Obama Energy Policies Washington Post. April 14, 2011. "10,000 young clean-energy advocates will open the third Power Shift Conference at the Washington Convention Center in the District. The three-day climate summit takes place every other year."