PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University officials plan a public meeting Thursday, July 26, to update community members on the university’s new energy plant project. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Neill Public Library’s Hecht Community Room.
WSU recently selected Trigen Energy Corporation of White Plains, N.Y., as its first choice to work with the university in developing a new energy plant on the Pullman campus. The plant is estimated to cost approximately $90 million. Washington lawmakers recently provided WSU $23 million to help fund the state’s share of project costs.
WSU’s existing energy facility, completed in 1937, is in need of replacement, Rick Zilar, WSU project manager, said. A new facility would provide better reliability for the university’s steam system and generate enough electricity to meet the energy requirements on campus.
“We encourage those interested in the project to attend the meeting,” said Greg Royer, vice president of Business Affairs. “This potential public/private development will assure a stable energy source for the research and teaching mission of this university. The new power plant would help shield WSU from the uncertainties of the energy market for the long term.
“Both the university and Trigen representatives look forward to comments from the community on July 26,” Royer said.
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