UC Signs On with the University Clean Energy Alliance of Ohio (UCEAO) Team

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) represents a collective message from Ohio’s outstanding universities about the importance of secure and clean energy to both the state and the nation as a whole.

"The UCEAO is a major step forward toward developing newer, cleaner sources of energy for Ohio and the United States," says Paul Bishop, associate vice president for research and   Herman Schneider Professor of Environmental Engineering. "UC was one of the original developers of UCEAO, which has now grown to 15 universities in Ohio. Getting 15 universities to sit down and agree to work together for a common cause is an astounding accomplishment.  As Governor Strickland said, he intends to make substantial resources available to solve our energy problems. These problems are very complex, though, and will require the collaboration of researchers from various Ohio universities. We at UC have major strengths in this area and plan to be a significant component of this new  endeavor."

The signing took place at the inaugural meeting of the University Clean Energy Alliance of Ohio. The meeting, which focused on the theme of “Ohio’s Future in Advanced Energy,” featured remarks by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland.

"We will make energy the core of an economic development strategy to attract new investments and new jobs for Ohio. And we will do it by investing in our strengths and making them even stronger," Strickland said. "This alliance represents a first-of-its-kind opportunity to coordinate and leverage university energy research in the state of Ohio.”

Participating institutions:

Bowling Green State University
Case Western Reserve University
Central State University
Cleveland State University
Kent State University
Miami University
The Ohio State University
Ohio University
Shawnee State University
University of Akron
University of Cincinnati
University of Dayton
University of Toledo
Wright State University
Youngstown State University

"The signing of the MOU will allow the consortium to collectively seek new solutions to the energy and environment issues from Ohio's perspective," says Rakesh Govind, professor of Chemical & Materials Engineering at theUniversity of Cincinnati. "UC has a diversity of faculty who have investigated various facets of the energy and environment issue over the past two decades, who bring this wealth of experience to this consortium. This faculty stands ready to propose and develop real solutions for Ohio in conjunction with the State's industry, federal labs and other Ohioan universities."

Gov. Strickland applauded the memorandum of understanding, saying, “To apply their attention collectively to what is both a great need and a great opportunity is something that stands to benefit not only the schools themselves, but the state of Ohio, and all Ohioans."

Read other news releases about UC’s role in energy research.

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