As a new bill aimed at reducing pollution circulates the U.S. Senate, Ohio University will emphasize new forms of energy when it hosts the Appalachian Regional Commission's conference this week in Baker University Center.
The conference will feature discussion panels on new types of energy such as wind power and biofuels as well as speeches from Gov. Ted Strickland and Duke Energy's CEO James Rogers. Registration, which costs $150, begins today in Walter Hall rotunda.
We were very pleased to hear about (the conference)
Becky Watts, chief of staff for President Roderick McDavis, said.
In March 2007, McDavis was the first president of a four-year university in Ohio to sign the President's Climate Commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
It will shine a light on OU's research, Watts said, citing work such as a fuel cell that converts ammonium to hydrogen created by Gerardine Botte, associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering.
This conference is important because new energy represents the future Louis Segesvary, the commission's public affairs officer, said.
Students and OU employees hoping to attend one of the panels can go for free tomorrow or Wednesday if they speak with representatives outside the Baker Center Ballroom, Segesvary said.
The panels will focus on tools needed to transfer to new energy, how local business fit into the change and what happens when new energy comes to town, said Carole Womeldorf, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering.
The commission has held similar conferences since the 1960s and tries to promote economic growth in 420 counties in 13 states along the Appalachian Mountain chain.
Ohio will be leading the way in advanced and renewable resources Amanda Wurst, the governor's press secretary, said. We're working to pull (Ohioans) out of the recession with (new energy) jobs.
The Pew Charitable Trust ranked Ohio in the top five for energy job creation, she said.
As citizens of the world
it reduces our carbon emissions
Womeldorf said. I thought we (OU) were a great choice.
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Caitlin Bowling
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