Athens, GA – The University of Georgia is replacing a fifty-year old campus coal boiler that has been the subject of environmental protests and controversy for years. UGA says it will replace the coal boiler with a new electrode boiler that is powered by electricity. The change is expected to save the University of Georgia more than $19 million over 30 years. The boiler currently provides steam to the campus, which is used to heat about 100 buildings on campus.

The change is pending approval by the Board of Regents. If it is approved, the university would work with Georgia Power to install the new electric boiler. The total cost of the replacement project is estimated at $4.5 million and would be installed and functional by November 2015. The existing coal boiler would operate through this winter and would shut down in February 2015.

A link to the university’s press release over the boiler can be found here: Coal Boiler Press Release.