What?s the value of energy?
Curt M. Peterson
Interim VP for Research and Economic Development
It is nearly impossible to place a value on energy in our lives because it is so inextricably connected to everything we do or plan to do. Can we as a society generate and use energy better? Yes. Can WVU help point the way? Absolutely!
My interest in The Question, ?What?s the value of energy?,? relates to my current position as vice president for research and economic development. I believe WVU has played and can continue to play a significant role in shaping energy for the good of society. The WVU Research Corporation has a draft of a Strategic Plan for Energy and the Environment that was presented to the faculty and research administrators on November 15, 2006, but it remains to be vetted both within and outside the University before we finalize a pathway for research action that could direct the course of action we take at WVU to address energy issues for the near and long term. We are in the process of beginning that vetting process now with University input being sought and received during December. Concurrently, we will seek external input as well. Thus, the questions of the greatest interest to me include the following:
? Can we identify the foci of an energy plan at WVU that will provide the best opportunity for us to demonstrate our leadership at every level of policy making and research including state, national and international?
? Who will be the leaders among our current faculty?
? What resources beyond existing ones (e.g., personnel and facilities) will be needed to advance the research and policy agenda?
? Can we develop partnerships to advance the research agenda?
? Can we assign a value to our existing resources and project the value of additional resources needed to advance the agenda?
? How inextricably linked will be research on energy and research on the environment?
Answers to the questions posed above may reveal the role West Virginia University will play in determining the value of energy into the foreseeable future.
