Athens' state representative has introduced a bill that would appropriate up to $200,000 over the next two years to create an energy resource center at Ohio University.
State Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-92, said the center would collect information on energy advancements and assist government and area business in advancing their own clean energy projects by providing technical assistance and promoting collaboration. The bill would provide OU's Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs with up to $75,000 in fiscal year 2010, which starts in July, and up to $125,000 in fiscal year 2011.
There really is a lot going on in the state and there needs to be a hub for that information
she said.
The bill would charter the center as somebody to help connect the dots said Scott Miller, senior Environmental Program manager for the Voinovich School.
It will be a way of connecting resource providers with the needs of private sectors and the research needs of the state Miller said.
As vice chairwoman of the state assembly's Alternative Energy Committee, Phillips said investment in advanced energy projects would help create new jobs in the field.
I just think clear
clean energy is very important to the state and the nation to strengthen our economy
she said.
She added having a resource center that can work with private and public groups on their clean energy projects would produce
stronger results.
It'd be great to have somebody responsible for knowing who those folks are to tailor their resources to them and stimulate that sector of the economy
Phillips said.
Miller said the appropriations would be tremendous for the school.
It fits very nicely with the work our school has been doing here with the local and state government
he said.
The Voinovich School works with business, nonprofit and government partners toward solving local and state problems through research and projects.
OU was selected for the possible appropriation because of its continuous work for clean energy, Phillips said.
The school has worked in the past to help monitor air quality and secure grants and loans for bio-fuel research.
The work the Voinovich School has done to date established themselves as a leader in the field
Phillips said.
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