It’s described as a 1930’s plant with 1960’s technology, and Penn State University’s west campus steam plant provides power to a wide segment of campus.

But at the latest trustees meeting, plans were approved for the conversion to natural gas. Because the source for the natural gas is on the other end of campus, Penn State plans to install a 10-inch gas line to the plant.

Officials said they don’t want to take the direct route for the line, which would be through campus.

Elizabeth Goreham, mayor of State College, said, “They say they can’t go through campus because of all the infrastructure.”

The only alternative is off-campus and taking the line through a State College neighborhood. To run it along College Avenue, the construction would be too much of a disruption for downtown business. So, plans call for the new gas line to be installed along a street parallel to College Avenue.

Goreham said there are concerns about safety and Penn State is already talking to neighborhood groups.

Officials said they project that the natural gas installation work will be completed by the spring of 2015.