The executive committee of the Ball State University Board of Trustees approved a $48 million project Monday to replace the aging boiler plant and upgrade the chilled water plant.

Thomas Kinghorn, vice president for business affairs and treasurer, was authorized to begin the planning, design and implementation of the project. The new facilities will be paid through academic facilities bonds with annual debt service provided by the state of Indiana.

The project would replace four coal-fired boilers, upgrade three gas/oil-fired boilers and add two steam-powered chillers. Benefits derived from the improvements include the use of clean coal technology, which will help reduce operating costs, increase efficiency and meet new source environmental standards.

The executive committee has the full authority of the Board of Trustees to act upon routine matters during the interim between regularly scheduled meetings.

(Note to Editors: For more information on this story, contact Kinghorn at (765) 285-1033 or tkinghor@bsu.edu.)