The university's first power plant was built by the Edison Company<ref>http://www.housing.vt.edu/assets/doc/vawter{{infobox building|name=Steam Plant|namesake =|status = Active|address = Barger Street|location_city = [[Blacksburg]]|logo =|logo_size = 300px|image = Steam turbine0.pdf</ref> on the east end of the Mall (near jpg|image_size=300px|owner=[[SurgeVirginia Tech]]|completion_date={{Start date and age|1901}}|renovation_date={{Start date and age|1970}},|cost=|material = Red Brick|former_name = |floor_count = 6? (Bag house).<ref>http|architecture_firm =|building_type = Power plant|architectural_style = [[w://www.facilities.vt.edu/utilities/steam/history.asp</ref> Since then...Modern|Modern]]}}

Today, the steam plant The '''Central Steam Plant''' is a cogeneration facility which provides power to many several buildings on campus as well as power and to some local residents through the [[Virginia Tech Electric Service]]. The waste primary byproduct of the plant, steam is exhausted into the [[steam tunnels]] and is used for heating, cooking, cleaning, sterilization, and autoclaving in a variety of many campus buildings.The facility primarily relies on 3 smaller natural gas boilers, although there are two large, functional coal boilers.<ref>http://facilities.vt.edu/energy-utilities/central-steam-plant.html</ref>

* [http://www.facilities.vt.edu/energy-utilities/central-steam/ -plant.html General information about the Central Steam Plant] * [http://www.cdcd.vt.edu/Building.Info/0202.html Central Steam Plant layout and other architectural details] by Virginia Tech [http://www.cdcd.vt.edu/ Facilities]