U.S. Representative Rick Boucher will be the keynote speaker at the kick off event for Deans’ Task Force on Energy Security and Sustainability. The Oct. 16 forum at the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center will also be a venue for the university community to share information about energy activities and expertise.

The forum will encourage awareness and foster synergy of research, education, and outreach efforts at Virginia Tech in the energy and energy-related environmental fields. The event will also provide perspectives from policy leaders on energy-related needs so Virginia Tech can target and enhance activity to address and further define those needs.

Congressman Boucher, in his 12th term representing Virginia's Ninth District, serves as the ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee's Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee. He has a long history and deep knowledge of matters relating to energy and to the environment and has successfully led a number of legislative initiatives. Representative Boucher was instrumental in authoring a number of provisions contained within the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Poster sessions at the forum will allow interaction among members of the university community and provide Congressman Boucher and U.S. Department of Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory representatives an opportunity to meet Virginia Tech's researchers and learn about their work.

Learn more about the Deans’ Forum on Energy Security and Sustainability and other activities and research resources at the task force web site. The site lists research activities in 11 areas, ranging from bioenergy and policy to solar energy, fossil fuels, and nuclear energy. “Virginia Tech has the biggest portfolio and largest breadth and depth of research in energy fields in the state,” said Vice President for Research Brad Fenwick. “The university is clearly a leading resource for research and policy initiatives.”

The site also lists centers and groups doing energy research and education programs.

For more information, contact Jack Lesko at (540) 231-5196, or Richard Hirsh at 231-5601. Virginia Tech researchers who would like to submit proposals for posters can click here.

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