January 29, 2016
University to host fourth Regional Energy Forum
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Trends in the electricity industry sector will be the focus of the next Regional Energy Forum at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
The forums, which began last fall, are sponsored by the Advanced Coal and Energy Research Center and are designed to bring together interested parties to explore issues and solutions for the future. Organizers also hope the forums provide inspiration and resources to create energy initiatives and jobs in the region.
The fourth forum, set for 11:30 a.m., Feb. 12, in the third floor rotunda at Morris Library, is titled “Campus and Community Electricity: Current Issues and Trends.” It will feature a panel of experts discussing issues such as sources and prices of electricity, pending regulations and recent market swings and natural resources in Illinois, among others.
The discussion panel includes: Justin Harrell, engineer at Physical Plant Services at SIU; Leonard Hopkins, vice president, fuel, environment, and safety, at Southern Illinois Power Cooperative; Jeff Haarmann, managing partner at Affordable Gas and Electric LLC; and Brad Richards, executive vice president at Illinois Oil and Gas Association.
The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Those registering online will receive a free box lunch. To register go here.
ACERC organizers aim to develop a regional resource center to help meet the challenges of the energy industry. To do so, they hope to determine the basic skills and knowledge that all employees should have, and develop areas of study and career tracks for students in community college or a university. They also hope to identify job placement channels based on feedback.
Follow ACERC at @SIUEnergy.