UT Austin works toward energy independence for the state and the nation

UT Austin has established The Energy Institute, drawing together "researchers whose interests range from social policy to carbon sequestration," according to an article in today's Houston Chronicle.

Building upon its $100 million portfolio in energy research, the University of Texas at Austin is launching an ambitious initiative to promote energy independence in Texas and the rest of the country.

The Energy Institute, headed by Raymond Orbach, former undersecretary for science at the U.S. Department of Energy, will draw together researchers whose interests range from social policy to carbon sequestration.

“Texas is very rich in its energy resources and has lived off them beautifully for over a century,” Orbach said. “I wanted to see if we could assist the state in terms of its energy future … and the major issues facing the energy companies.”

Steven Leslie, provost and executive vice president at UT, said the institute — launched a few weeks ago and to be officially announced today — was the brainchild of faculty and department heads who wanted to pull together the sprawling range of energy interests on campus.

Orbach, who served at the Department of Energy from 2002 until January, officially starts work Aug. 1. His previous experience includes stints at several schools in the University of California system.

At UT, he will work with researchers from nearly every corner of the campus, including the law school, business school, liberal arts, architecture, engineering and science.

Gregory Fenves, dean of engineering at UT, said the timing is right, thanks to stimulus funding and federal initiatives to promote sustainable energy. “The theme is, how do we make this transition work for the United States and the world?” he said. “The transition is going to be decades long.”

But the prescription for energy independence will take more than new technology, Fenves said. “There is not going to be a technology silver bullet that will solve all our problems. Every approach has consequences. There are legal issues. Business model issues. Social issues.”

The oil companies and other major energy players also will be involved, Orbach said.

“These are very smart people, and they are well aware of what the future holds,” he said of increasing pressure to limit greenhouse gases and other industrial byproducts.

While the Institute is not solely dedicated to alternative energy, it is closely looking at ways to limit emissions and free us from petroleum dependence.

It's more than just a start.

It's a huge stride, especially in Texas, where the current governor seems only concerned with lining his own pocket and that of his cronies.