Pittsburg ? Pittsburg State University is embarking on a $4.5 million energy savings plan that officials say will pay for itself within 14 years.

Officials at the southeastern Kansas campus outlined the project at a news conference Tuesday.

The Joplin Globe reports that phase one is construction of a $600,000 geothermal energy system for heating and cooling a chapel and a classroom building. That system is expected to be complete in two years.

Pittsburg State president Steve Scott said other buildings may also be converted to geothermal energy.

Other projects will include retrofitting old buildings with energy-efficient details and replacing inefficient boilers throughout the campus.

The geothermal portion of the energy makeover is being funded partly with a federal grant.