At this point, most Penn Staters have probably heard about the coal plant retrofit that is the source of debate throughout the university and the State College community. For anyone who hasn’t, here’s the lowdown:
A new EPA policy on emission standards requires Penn State to reduce hazardous emissions by 2016. To respond to these regulations, Penn State has chosen to retrofit the west coal-powered steam plant to natural gas. The decision to renovate the west plant, which is a source of heat for the campus, is preferred over an expansion of the east steam plant, which already runs on natural gas. Expansion of the east steam plant would be significantly more costly than a retrofit of the west plant, but there remain serious concerns about the decision to convert to this “bridge technology.” The necessary pipeline that would supply natural gas to the west steam plant is proposed to run underneath the borough of State College, along Prospect Ave and Burrowes St. Residents have expressed concerns about the effects of the pipeline on property values as well as safety. Additionally, many people are questioning the sustainability of Penn State’s commitment to a natural gas infrastructure.
Students and community members alike have been exploring alternatives to switching to natural gas. While there is still more research to be done on the economics and impacts of solutions to Penn State’s energy needs, there are some clear starting points. For one, the buildings on University Park’s campus can be retrofitted to be more energy-efficient. Deep retrofit and energy-saving measures within residence halls and classroom buildings alone have the potential to result in 50-60% energy savings. Take a minute to think about that. Better buildings could cut energy costs by over half. As a large university expense (around $30 million) and percentage of tuition, energy costs are not a trivial finance at Penn State. In short, energy-saving retrofit is a no-brainer; it is the first best choice.
One of the primary renewable options being explored for Penn State is a geothermal system. While the price is high and the switch-over time is about ten to fifteen years, in the long-run, the new system is self-sufficient and will reduce university dependence on the an unpredictable energy market. For a more detailed description of some of the alternatives being explored for Penn State, visit this post from the Spring Creek Homesteading blog.
The decisions that are currently being made about Penn State’s energy future are some of the most important university decisions to be made within the next several decades. The reason for this is two-fold. Penn State’s choices will not only have significant economic and environmental impact on the students, community, and climate for years to come. The social implications of Penn State’s energy commitments will set an example for the state of Pennsylvania and other institutions throughout the world. If Penn State rises as a leader in sustainability, the nature of being a student, faculty member, or resident of State College will forever be changed.
As my last civic issues blog, I am going to make a statement that I would not typically make within the context of these blogs. As an issue that is close to home and so extraordinarily important, I personally advocate for student participation in this discussion. Any individuals, particularly students, who are interested in getting involved or learning more about the steam plant retrofit should attend a general meeting at 5PM on Sunday, April 21 in Hammond. Please bring information, opinions, and an enthusiasm to make change.
Additional information:
Design group reviews Penn State’s West Campus plant conversion plans
State College Borough Council opposes route of Penn State pipeline after residents object
State College Energy Sovereignty Task Force
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As a follow up, the Society of Energy Engineers is hosting a coal plant debate on Thursday, April 25 at 4PM in 157 Hosler. Join the forum and have your voice heard!
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/463917330354919/?notif_t=plan_admin_added
