Plymouth's Alternate Energy Program

Next fall, Plymouth State University will use compressed natural gas (CNG) as the primary source of fuel on campus. Compressed natural gas is a cleaner, "naturally occurring fossil fuel, it's [CNG] under less pressure and not liquefied," said the Director of the Office of Environmental Sustainability, Brian Eisenhauer. PSU previously used diesel fuel (#6) as the main heating fuel. Diesel fuel (#6) is "the dirtiest form of diesel, and the way it's extracted is not environmentally friendly" stated Eisenhauer.

PSU will receive the heating source through a virtual pipeline. "Basically natural gas is delivered by a pipe, but we do not have a pipeline. Compressed natural gas will be delivered in a series of trucks," said Eisenhauer.      

The alternative energy program can reduce pollution going into the air, and could save the university approximately, "half a million dollars in fuel cost, and lower carbon foot prints by 13 percent," said Vice President for Finance and Administration, Stephen Taksar. Taksar later commented that the project could allow PSU to reinvest in the university by, "keeping tuition lower."

PSU's alternative energy program will make the University one of the pioneers of alternative energy. "No one in New Hampshire is doing this today, we're on the leading edge," stated Taksar.

The costs involved with the project are extremely low, and is "a logical step in our progress, particularly when finical recourses are tight," said Eisenhauer.

This project could improve the environment and the university. However, there are concerns about fracking and its effect on the environment. Fracking is a, "controversial new method of extracting natural gas," said Eisenhauer. Eisenhauer later mentioned "fracking injects water and other chemicals under pressure, putting cracks into the rock and the gas flows out. There are concerns where the water goes."

Eisenhauer expects that, "we [PSU] are the early adopters to be doing this, and we will not be the last. This is an emerging market."

The University expects to be using compressed natural gas by next heating season.