Renewable Energy and the T. B. Simon Power Plant at MSU cont.

Though coal has undoubted negative health effects, experts including Michigan State University's spokesperson on renewable energy have a different and more feasible approach to the issue on campus.

Sustainable energy expert and President of Bluefield Engineered Services, Mark Blauvelt, said the key to maintaining a healthy environment is to lower the use of all energy in general, rather than completely shifting to renewable resources.

Jennifer Battle, renewable energy expert and MSU's spokesperson on the topic said "The biggest bang for our buck is in conservation."

Blauvelt said though coal is one of the dirtiest energy sources, it is also one of the cheapest and that the technology is not here yet for campus to run entirely on renewable energy.

Battle sums up the universities stance and said, "Every energy source, renewable and non-renewable has positives and negatives. The key is to consider variables such as environment, capacity, cost, health, and reliability and make the best decision about the fuel mis and the larger campus energy structure."