[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1393-E1394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNITION OF ENERGY, CITIZENS, AND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION FOR 
       INDIANA AND AMERICA EVENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 2008

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Energy, 
Citizens, and Economic Transformation for Indiana and America event 
held on July 7, 2008, sponsored by the University of Notre Dame Energy 
Center. This conference brought together leaders in energy research 
from the University of Notre Dame, the U.S. Department of Energy, Oak 
Ridge National Laboratory, Purdue University, the state of Indiana, and 
academic think tanks.
  The University of Notre Dame Energy Center was established in 2005 to 
develop new technologies for energy efficiency, safe nuclear waste 
storage, clean coal utilization, CO2 separation and 
sequestration, and alternative renewable energy sources. The Center 
also plays a key role in energy education and literacy, affecting 
energy policy and exploring the ethical implications associated with 
energy sources, availability and policy. It involves approximately 25 
faculty members in the Colleges of Engineering, Science, Arts & Letters 
and Business. The Notre Dame Energy Center and its faculty members have 
funding support from the U.S. Department of Energy and extensive 
collaborations with researchers at Sandia, Argonne National Labs and 
the National Energy Technology Laboratory.
  Meeting U.S. energy needs in an environmentally sustainable manner 
without jeopardizing economic growth or national security interests 
through undue reliance on foreign energy sources is arguably our most 
demanding challenge. Achieving this goal will require multiple 
solutions and strategies. To meet this challenge, the University of 
Notre Dame, through their Energy Center and conferences such as this, 
combines existing research expertise and new research infrastructure 
with visionary thinkers from both Indiana and the federal government.
  A collaboration also is currently being undertaken by the Notre Dame 
Energy Center that addresses the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, 
which is a resource that is very important to the Northwest Indiana 
community. This project seeks to provide energy-related consulting 
services to the park during the coming summer months that will promote 
the responsible use of an irreplaceable national treasure. As part of 
the project, students will track and quantify the cost savings related 
to energy use reduction and lower greenhouse gas emissions. This 
collaboration will help preserve the unique ecosystem of the Indiana

[[Page E1394]]

Dunes National Lakeshore and will allow future generations to enjoy 
this tremendous natural, educational, and recreational asset of 
Northwest Indiana.
  I would like to thank Dr. Joan Brennecke and Dr. Paul Bohn for 
organizing the July 7th event and for their tireless work in addressing 
our nation's energy problems. The conference will offer Hoosiers the 
opportunity to hear from state and national leaders in energy research. 
While prices at the gas pumps may be getting most of the attention now, 
the energy crisis is about more than just oil. As a nation, with the 
help of our research universities, we need to continue efforts in 
examining our entire mix of energy sources and how to go about changing 
that mix over the long term in order to increase our economic and 
national security.
  The state of Indiana and its industries can benefit from this type of 
research and discussion, and I believe that Indiana will be at the 
forefront of this nation's energy revolution. The sluggish economy and 
increasing energy costs have left families struggling to make ends 
meet. The work being done by those involved at this event seek to ease 
their burden and create the next generation of energy-related jobs in 
Indiana.

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