At its Nov. 12 meeting, the board of regents approved the replacement of the coal-fired boiler at UGA’s Central Steam Plant.
Used only during the winter heating season, the existing 50-year-old boiler is nearing the end of its useful life. A recent engineering study determined that replacing the boiler, which will cost nearly $4.5 million, with an electrode boiler will save nearly $500,000 per year. Current plans call for the electrode boiler to be operational before the winter of 2015-2016.
The regents also approved the installation of an automated irrigation system for the university’s Iron Horse Farm. The $2.87 million project will support the crop and soil sciences research programs of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the farm in Oconee and Greene counties.
In addition, the regents approved a plan to implement energy conservation measures at UGA’s Ramsey Student Center, the Performing and Visual Arts Center and the Animal and Dairy Sciences Center.
The establishment of the Stanley Wade Shelton UGA Foundation Professorship in the School of Public and International Affairs and the Travis and Mary Osborne Distinguished Chair in Psychology in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences also was approved. Additionally, the UGA Athletic Association Professorship in the Social Sciences was redesignated as a Distinguished Professorship.
