MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) - Ball State University plans to drill 3,750 wells to tap into the earth's nearly constant temperature to support new campus heating and cooling systems.

The geothermal conversion project will promote a cleaner environment by eliminating the university's coal-fired boilers. It also will cut operating costs and create about 850 jobs.

The school plans to start drilling the wells - each of which will be 400 feet deep - in May.

The $66 million project was approved by the university's board
of trustees on Friday.

Ball State plans to ask the legislature for $40 million, which was originally approved to replace the boilers.

School officials hopes Ball State can benefit from part of the
proposed federal stimulus package that's intended to support renewable energy projects.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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