News
News Home
Quick Bites Archive
Exploradio Archive
Programs Schedule Make A Pledge Member BenefitsFAQ/HelpContact Us
Education


Youngstown State invests in boilers to save cash, help engineering students
The $16 million project would replace vendor-sourced steam that costs $3 million
by WKSU's TIM RUDELL


Reporter
Tim Rudell
 
Even as other universities in Ohio are cutting back and closing facilities, Youngstown State is adding on. WKSU’s Tim Rudell reports on YSU's plan to save money by spending money.
LISTEN: Youngstown State invests in boilers to save cash, help engineering students

Other options:
MP3 Download (0:48)


Youngstown State pays $3 million a year to heat the campus with steam from a vendor. University vice-president Neal McNally says the school could run new-technology boilers of its own for a third of that. So it’s financing a $16 million expenditure to install them. That may seem odd in the face of the cutting elsewhere in higher education. But, McNally says, it’s not.

“We’ve done our fair share of reducing expenses as well. But the plan we have we think is a fairly balanced plan because, it does include expenditure reductions, but it also includes these types of investments that will help us reduce costs over the long term.”

McNally also says the plant can provide practical study opportunities for students in YSU’s power plant engineering program.

"Another benefit is that there will be educational opportunities for students, particularly in our engineering programs. We do have a power plant program and this obviously gives us a perfect venue to help those students learn more about the science behind steam heat."

McNally says the boilers will pay for themselves in just eight years, and then the $2 million savings will go to Youngstown State's bottom line. Construction of the new steam heat facility is set to begin in August.  
 
Page Options

Print this page



Copyright © 2025 WKSU Public Radio, All Rights Reserved.

 
In Partnership With:

NPR PRI Kent State University

listen in windows media format listen in realplayer format Car Talk Hosts: Tom & Ray Magliozzi Fresh Air Host: Terry Gross A Service of Kent State University 89.7 WKSU | NPR.Classical.Other smart stuff. NPR Senior Correspondent: Noah Adams Living on Earth Host: Steve Curwood 89.7 WKSU | NPR.Classical.Other smart stuff. A Service of Kent State University