The Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University co-hosted the 2019 University Energy Institute Leadership Summit Sept. 25 and 26, in collaboration with the Colorado School of Mines' Payne Institute for Public Policy and Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.
The summit drew 101 leaders representing more than 67 academic energy institutes and centers from 32 states across the U.S. to the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The event participants, who hailed from as far as Hawaii and Alaska, explored the possibility of creating a network of national energy institutes, and how such an organization would advance efforts in energy research, education, decarbonization strategies, innovation, public policy and advocacy.
National and local government officials as well as Carnegie Mellon leadership and alumni welcomed attendees. Officials who provided remarks included Chanette Armstrong, principal deputy director of the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) and a 1981 alumna of CMU’s College of Engineering; Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, a 1981 alumnus of CMU’s College of Engineering; and CMU Provost and Chief Academic Officer James H. Garrett, Jr., a three-time CMU College of Engineering alumnus (1982, 1983, 1986).
"As a community of educators and innovators, this group gathered here has a pivotal role in preparing our world for future energy and conservation needs," said Garrett.
His remarks came on the heels of his recent trip to the 74th United Nations General Assembly where he and partners highlighted regional accomplishments to advance the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Garrett also announced six commitments made by CMU to advance the SDGs over the next decade.