The Energy Center was the first LEED platinum-rated power facility in the nation and OSU’s first LEED platinum building on campus. This co-generating, or combined heat and power, technology greatly increases efficiencies by utilizing waste heat from the electrical generation process. It was fully operational by June of 2010. This "waste" heat is utilized to heat campus buildings and rainwater is harvested for use in the boilers. Additionally, the close proximity of the electricity generating source to electrical loads on campus means transmission line losses are greatly reduced, improving overall efficiency of the electrical grid and postponing the electric utility company's need for increased capacity. Energy Center systems are configured for future use of renewable fuels, such as biodiesel and methane. This facility replaced the 1920s era heat plant that provided steam to most campus buildings until 2009 when the new OSU Energy Center went online, producing steam and electricity to efficiently heat and power OSU's main campus.

Note: Due to the relatively recent establishment of the Energy Center, little information exists in archival form regarding the building itself. For current events regarding OSU's Energy Center, try the Daily Barometer. 

Oregon Digital: Contains mostly periodicals which reference the building of the Energy Center, as well as OSU's progress in creating clean energy.