ARCATA -- Humboldt State University may be off the main energy grid by 2043.

That's the goal of the Humboldt Energy Independence Fund, which was approved by students in the university's recent election by a vote of 869 to 149. The initiative, conceived by the Sustainable Campus Task Force, will establish the energy fund, a student-run panel with faculty to oversee renewable energy projects. Students will pay $10 extra a semester, with the money going toward the fund.

"It's pretty awesome in a time of budget crisis, and there's been a lot of talk about the fee hikes on campus," said Michael Wilcoxen, HSU's clubs and activities coordinator. "But students are voluntarily saying they're willing to pay for this because it's important to them."

Voter turnout was large this year, Wilcoxen said, with a little more than 1,000 voters as compared to last year when turnout was in the low 800s. About 7,400 students attend HSU.

The first measure of its kind in the nation, the energy initiative will allow students to come up with ideas, plans and designs for renewable energy projects to be submitted to the panel for consideration. Such projects could be wind generators or solar panels.

"We're really excited and we can't wait to see what students come up with," said student Katie Harbaugh, a member of the Sustainable Campus Task Force.

The fee change will go into effect in fall and will continue until HSU has reached energy independence by generating all of its energy from renewable resources. Three years from when the measure is implemented, the $10 per semester fee will be reviewed by the Student Fee Advisory Committee to make sure it is meeting students' expectations.

Opponents of the initiative say it will be setting a dangerous precedent for the rest of the California State University system, because it sends the message to the state that if students want renewable energy on their campuses they will have to pay for it themselves. Opponents also argued student fees shouldn't go toward campus infrastructure because it is the state's responsibility to maintain that infrastructure.

Another argument against the initiative is that the hike in student fees may limit future students' access to HSU.

Supporters, however, say it is a way for students to empower themselves by putting into action HSU's basic philosophy of environmental sustainability.

Wilcoxen said students are excited about the measure, and he even had people lined up outside his office door on Friday morning wanting to know election results.