2008 Woodie Awards
RSSAt two-day conference, aces debate energy costs
By Elizabeth Fontaine
Issue date: 11/6/07 Section: News
Concerns over alternative and efficient energy brought more than 170 professors, researchers and faculty members together at Lehigh's two-day energy workshop last Wednesday and Thursday.
Experts and professors from around the country discussed "Balancing Energy and the Environment."
The conference was sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. Speakers ranged from professors at Lehigh and other universities to researchers from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the U.S. Department of Energy and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
William Hecht, who retired in 2006 as chairman and CEO of what was formerly known as Pennsylvania Power and Light Co., talked about differences in the electricity industry in different states.
"William Hecht was really incredible," Nicole Bayard, '09, said. "One of the points that he made that surprised me was that the prices of energy generation and resources are too low to get a demand reaction from consumers, and that's one of the reasons why newer technologies aren't catching on quickly because there's not enough of a push because energy prices are too low."
Bayard said she appreciated the variety of speakers.
"I thought it was great that Lehigh gathered so many speakers from different avenues," she said, "because they covered the idea of energy and the economy from a technical standpoint and a social standpoint."
Ann Murtlow, president and CEO of Indianapolis Power and Light Company, said the U.S. is a society of convenience, and consumers have little incentive to save power and energy if it is not convenient.
She said green branding, which uses environmentally-friendly technology and natural and organic ingredients in its products, is becoming critical to the country.
Murtlow said the younger generation is willing to pay more to do the right thing.
She also said a lot can be done with existing technologies, such as nuclear power. But education, she said, realizing problems exist and exploring options, must be the first topic of conversations.
Experts and professors from around the country discussed "Balancing Energy and the Environment."
The conference was sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. Speakers ranged from professors at Lehigh and other universities to researchers from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the U.S. Department of Energy and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
William Hecht, who retired in 2006 as chairman and CEO of what was formerly known as Pennsylvania Power and Light Co., talked about differences in the electricity industry in different states.
"William Hecht was really incredible," Nicole Bayard, '09, said. "One of the points that he made that surprised me was that the prices of energy generation and resources are too low to get a demand reaction from consumers, and that's one of the reasons why newer technologies aren't catching on quickly because there's not enough of a push because energy prices are too low."
Bayard said she appreciated the variety of speakers.
"I thought it was great that Lehigh gathered so many speakers from different avenues," she said, "because they covered the idea of energy and the economy from a technical standpoint and a social standpoint."
Ann Murtlow, president and CEO of Indianapolis Power and Light Company, said the U.S. is a society of convenience, and consumers have little incentive to save power and energy if it is not convenient.
She said green branding, which uses environmentally-friendly technology and natural and organic ingredients in its products, is becoming critical to the country.
Murtlow said the younger generation is willing to pay more to do the right thing.
She also said a lot can be done with existing technologies, such as nuclear power. But education, she said, realizing problems exist and exploring options, must be the first topic of conversations.
