Officials at the University of Minnesota Morris were thrilled to find out this week that even with natural gas prices at 10-year lows, heating the campus with biomass was a competitive alternative to burning fossil fuels.
The news puts the university even further down the path of cutting its carbon emissions. It also affirms the school’s place as one of the nation’s most sustainable campuses.
The school’s energy strategy relies on corn cobs. Piled next to the old brick power plant, they look a little out of place. But the corn cobs play a critical role in heating and cooling the university, said Lowell Rasmussen, vice chancellor for finance and facilities.
