Penn State Trustees OK Gas-Conversion Plan for Plant

Voting without dissent, Penn State trustees agreed Friday morning to pursue conversion of the West Campus Steam Plant to a natural-gas-based system.

The plant, built in 1929, now burns coal. It supplies heat to much of University Park. The fuel conversion will ensure that Penn State stays in compliance with anticipated environmental regulations; it also will help the university achieve its self-imposed emissions-reduction goals, Vice President for Finance Al Horvath said.

Carbon-dioxide emissions from the plant are expected to decline 37 percent by the time the conversion project is complete. It’s expected to cost roughly $25 million to $30 million, and is tentatively slated for completion in 2014.

The university trustees meeting adjourned for the day about noon. Check back with StateCollege.com for more thorough coverage of the board’s actions. Tweets from the meeting are available via @SCNewsDesk.

Earlier coverage

• PSU Trustees to Address Steam Plant, Other Campus Improvements (Jan. 20, 2011)