Notre Dame to eliminate coal use by 2020

OREANDA-NEWS. September 23, 2015. University of Notre Dame plans to stop burning coal at its combined heat and power plant by 2020.

The university said today it is taking the measure in an effort to cut its CO2 emissions in half by 2030. Notre Dame will also invest \\$113mn in on- and off-campus renewable energy projects, including construction of a hydroelectric dam facility in South Bend, Indiana.

The university's announcement comes the day before Pope Francis visits the US. Notre Dame president reverend John Jenkins said that the decision to eliminate coal use was in recognition of the pope's 18 June encyclical on climate change, as well as his first US visit.

The university has already cut coal use in recent years to 15pc from 85pc, lowering emissions by 40pc since 2005.

To eliminate coal use altogether, Notre Dame will expand its natural gas generation over the short term. Gas already accounts for 85pc of its energy mix.

Eventually, the university intends to develop alternative sources of energy, including solar, geothermal fields and heat recovery technologies, all on campus, in addition to the hydro facility.

The campus power plant generates 50pc of Notre Dame's electricity needs. It also produces steam to heat and cool campus buildings and provide hot water. The university relies on Indiana Michigan Power, an American Electric Power subsidiary, to meet the remainder of its energy requirements.

Notre Dame is a Catholic research university located in northern Indiana, about 90 miles east of Chicago. In 2014-2015, the student body numbered more than 12,000.