GHG Monitor
7/18/2014
IN THE STATES
The University of Delaware announced this week that it has cancelled plans to build a natural gas-fueled power plant on its campus. The plant, which would have been built on the university’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) campus, was met with opposition from students and faculty, according to a working group assembled to review the project. In their report the group recommended that the university not go forward with the project, stating that “given the University’s commitment to reduced carbon emissions, and its strong reputation in renewable and carbon-free energy research, the emplacement of a fossil-fuel based facility of this size does not appear consistent with UD’s vision of a first class science and technology campus.”
Two utilities companies have shown interest in hosting the proposed Wyoming Integrated Test Center, Governor Matt Mead announced this week. Last month the state legislature approved $15 million in funding for the center, which will perform research into new commercial uses of carbon dioxide. According to a release from Mead’s office, Black Hills Power and Basin Electric have requested information on hosting the center. “The research that would happen there has great potential to help the coal industry while also reducing emissions. I am pleased that we are still moving forward,” Mead said in the release.
IN INDUSTRY
The UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre (UKCCSRC) and the Australia-based Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC) signed a memorandum of understanding for collaborative research this week. According to a release by the UKCCSRC, the agreement “formalizes an already strong relationship between the two organizations and researchers in both countries.” Prof Jon Gibbins, UKCCSRC Director said in the release, “UK researchers have enjoyed meeting and working with Australian colleagues over many years and it will be excellent to use this MoU to deepen and broaden these interactions.”
The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) named Bob Perciasepe, Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the next president of the organization this week. Perciasepe will be leaving his current post as Deputy Administrator of the EPA to head up C2ES starting Aug. 11. “Throughout my career, I’ve worked to bring diverse interests together to protect both our environment and our economy. I’m eager to continue that work at C2ES at such a critical time, when we have both the opportunity and obligation to forge lasting climate solutions,” Perciasepe said in a C2ES release.
