Purdue flooded with comments on energy plan

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Updated: February 16, 2012 11:33PM

WEST LAFAYETTE (AP) — More than a thousand comments have come in to Purdue University about its proposed new energy plan.

The Lafayette Journal and Courier reports the school has decided to minimize its use of coal power and instead switch to natural gas. That includes adding a natural gas turbine to replace a 50-year-old coal-fired boiler. The cost to replace the boiler is estimated at $26 million.

But students are hoping to push university officials to consider renewable energy sources like wind and geothermal power. Alexis Boxer of the Sierra Students Coalition says any comprehensive plan should seriously consider renewable energy.

Wednesday was the last day to submit written comments on the plan.