Student Publications
University of Houston
151C Communications Bldg
Houston, TX 77204-4015
713.743.5350

©1991-2007
Student Publications,
All rights reserved.

Last modified:

Contact:
ktruitt@uh.edu

News

Senator touts research

In campus visit, Hutchison says UH, Texas has potential 
for alternative energy

by GRANT MEHLHOFF
The Daily Cougar

Oil and natural gas are the staples of energy production, but Americans must find ways to become energy independent as a matter of economic and national security, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said Tuesday at an appearance at UH.

The senator visited the Cullen College of Engineering and toured the school's Materials Lab a week after introducing legislation promoting research into alternative energy. She spoke at a press conference featuring UH President and UH System Chancellor Jay Gogue and Chair of the UH Board of Regents Leroy Hermes to address concerns afterwards.

Being a leader in the energy industry, Texas needs to guide the way in finding viable alternative sources of renewable energy, Hutchison said. 

"Who has more sun than Texas?" she said. "Combine that with biofuels from soy along with the wind and water we have in the Gulf -- I believe that Texas has such great potential for energy research."

Hutchison also commended the UH-led consortium, The Lone Star Wind Alliance, for being selected as one of two finalists for a Department of Energy wind turbine research complex. 

"I'm very hopeful that we will get to be the center of excellence (in energy research)," Hutchison said. "Even if we don't happen to get this particular project, I think we ought to go forward. The Board of Regents will provide the leadership, and I will work with them hand-in-hand to make sure they have the resources they need to become a major research center for renewable energy."

Graeme Sweeney, CEO of Shell Renewables, echoed Hutchison's sentiments on the importance of discovering practical sources of renewable energy. He said that the legislation the senator proposed demonstrates the leadership role that the government should take in addressing a looming energy challenge.

Currently only 1 percent of the world's energy is generated by alternative sources, he said. This amount needs to grow to at least 33 percent by 2050.

"We are working hard to bring down the cost of delivery of these energy systems so they can become more economically competitive and make up a bigger part of the world's energy mix.

"We must balance the competing demands between energy security, the environmental consequences of those choices and economic growth," Sweeney said. 

But, he said, there is no need to trade off between these demands because he believes they can be achieved simultaneously.

While the future remains uncertain, Hutchison said, there is reason for optimism.

"The most important ray of hope we have that America will become energy self-sufficient and keep our economic security is that the oil companies are showing an innovative side," she said. "They are the reason we will succeed. Without their resources we would never be able to reach that goal."

Send comments to dcnews@mail.uh.edu