U.S. Colleges to Buy Green Power in MTV Competition

[jpak]

http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=11211

NEW YORK — An environmental group is teaming with MTV to encourage U.S. university students to demand their schools get more energy from renewable energy sources.

"We believe students are especially well-positioned to be advocating for this because they more than anyone know what's at stake," said Billy Parish, a coordinator for Washington D.C.-based Energy Action Coalition, in a telephone interview. His group is launching the competition with MTV, a cable network owned by Viacom Inc.

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Hip-hop artist Jay-Z was set to launch the competition, called Break the Addiction Challenge, on MTV show "Total Requests Live" on Wednesday. Schools will compete for prizes including "green"-friendly renovations of their student lounges.

"Whether it is concerns about Hurricane Katrina, high gas prices, war or national security, young people are beginning to connect the dots between their daily behavior and the health of our environment," said Christina Norman, president of MTV, in a statement.

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