In response to the Oct. 27 letters "Coal protestors misguided, group's goals off the mark," Penn State performs excellent research in the 'green' department -- renewable energies, climate change, sustainable development and so on.

As a student in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, I can say only good things about the scholarship done on campus.

No one has any doubts about Penn State's integrity, nor would anyone have Penn State shut the plant down this instant.

Phasing out the coal plant with clean energy is a natural continuation of Penn State's strong green tradition.

Other large universities have found ways to make green energy work logistically and economically: Both Ball State University (more than 20,000 students) and the University of Wisconsin at Madison (more than 38,000 students) are working to phase out their coal plants.

Given this university's abilities, it is common sense that we can and will find a way.

David Knoppers

sophomore-geography