ASU is getting a lot of attention for their green way of thinking. US Senator Kay Hagan recently visited ASU to learn more about the university's Renewable and Alternative Energy Projects. Hagan says a "green economy" is important to the future of the state and nation. While on campus, Hagan learned of work planned at the university's biodiesel research and testing facility to be located in Catawba County, and a project to measure emissions from various biofuels used to power vehicles. She also learned of the instillation of photovoltaic panels in front of Raley Hall, a solar water heating system on Frank Residence Hall and the construction of a 100-kilowatt wind turbine near the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center. More than 2.5 billion dollars has been designated in the Federal Economic Stimulus plan for energy research.