CWU building new geothermal plant, academic complex

ELLENSBURG — Central Washington University is making strides in its sustainability efforts with the development of the GeoEco Center and North Academic Complex, a project aimed at reducing campus-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The construction of the Academic Complex, currently underway, is set to replace two aging academic buildings that were built in the 1970s and are deemed energy-inefficient. CWU’s commitment to forward-thinking geothermal technology represents a pivotal shift in its approach to campus energy use. “We are excited about the GeoEco Center’s potential to not only provide efficient heating and cooling for our campus but also to position CWU as a leader in sustainability,” said Jim Wolpert, president of Central Washington University. “This project is not just an investment in infrastructure but also an investment in our planet’s future.” The GeoEco Center will utilize an open-loop ground source heat pump system, which is designed to provide heating and cooling for over half a million square feet of campus infrastructure. The geothermal plant is expected to come online by early 2026, serving as a cornerstone for CWU’s initiative to decarbonize its district energy system over the next 15 years.