LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 7, 2005) -- A comprehensive state energy plan released today by Gov. Ernie Fletcher could help spur the University of Kentucky’s efforts to obtain federal research funding.
The plan, among other things, recommends a $2 million pool of matching funds for the state’s universities when they compete for federal research dollars, said Wendy Baldwin, UK’s executive vice president for research.
“We have outstanding energy researchers at UK and believe that the steps in this plan will help them excel in obtaining federal funding,” Baldwin said.
UK currently has about $45 million in ongoing energy research across a wide spectrum of topics, including controlling air emissions from coal-fired plants, diversified use of coal and its by-products, and efforts by the Kentucky Geological Survey that will help guide mining applications in the future such as the exploration for natural gas.
Significant UK research efforts also exist in environmental stewardship, forestry, and biosystems and agriculture engineering.
The plan, which Fletcher unveiled today during a series of news conferences across the state, focuses on several areas, including:
- Affordable utility rates. Kentucky traditionally has among the lowest electricity rates in the country because of easy access to coal as well as access to rail lines and river ports for affordable transportation.
- Greater utilization of renewable fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol, which in turn, would stimulate increased crop production and prices for corn and soybeans.
- Increased use of clean-coal technology.
- Attention to construction techniques that will lower costs and emphasize conservation efforts.
- Increased focus on energy issues by consolidating efforts within the state’s Commerce Cabinet.
Baldwin said the governor’s plan will send an important message that the state is willing to invest in a focused way on energy-related issues, a move that could pay dividends as UK competes for federal dollars in an increasingly competitive field.
“This is a great investment strategy for our state,” Baldwin said. “It signals to Washington that our partnership in Kentucky is in place. It’s a win-win-win-win.”
One of the research efforts that could benefit is UK’s Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER), which was created during the energy crisis of the 1970s. The center has an international reputation for outstanding energy-related research.
Ari Geertsema, director of CAER, said the governor’s plan is important because it “contains guiding principles for the immediate future and is likely to stand the test of time.
“We applaud this new approach to promote energy development in Kentucky in a coherent and focused way,” he said.
For more information about UK's energy research efforts, please go to the Web site.
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