The debate about using less, more, or alternative energy is not something new, but it seems to resurface every time gas jumps up a bit or whenever a national election is on the horizon.
This summer, corporations and political parties weren’t the only ones taking sides on the issue; non-fossil, renewable energy has become the personal crusade of oil and natural gas tycoon and OSU alum T. Boone Pickens. You’ve probably seen his face with wind turbines in the background on your TV, YouTube hit list, or even Facebook. He has started a discussion among all ages and interests in hopes that they will back his plan – the “Pickens Plan.”
Whatever your personal opinions of Mr. Pickens are or what you think of his economic motives, think for a second: What could this do for his beloved alma mater?
The times, they are a-changin’. People are actually buying less gasoline, screwing in fluorescent bulbs, and trading in their SUVs for road bikes. The plains that were once dotted with oil derricks are already sprouting wind farms. And while wind energy may not be the solution for all of our energy shortcomings, wind turbines will become an important industry in this country if Mr. Pickens has his
way.
And make no mistake about it, the Democratically controlled Congress will have no choice but to jump on the Pickens train. Also, the survival in the duel for the Oval Office will be eager to do something significant to resolve our “energy crisis.”
But what role can OSU play in all of this? Where can the University fit in? OSU used to have a petroleum engineering major and option decades ago, and courses are currently offered for more traditional energy exploration and business practices.
But what if we took it upon ourselves to be the first academic institution devoted to not only providing students with the specific skills necessary to lead the development of wind energy?
What if OSU wasn’t satisfied with just sponsoring forums and conferences featuring speakers from big oil and energy investors, but developed its own resources to produce the leaders of this new and growing industry?
Why not invest in a wind farm that would empower not only students and researchers, but also the lights of our campus?
OSU is uniquely situated to lead the nation in the development of clean, renewable natural energy resources: we have the location, alumni leadership and too much wind.
Is OSU in the position of working with one of our most famous graduates in creating a Wind Energy Management major (or Wind Energy Sciences, Alternative Energy Engineering, etc.) in exchange for a low bid on a couple of power turbines? Could OSU be the first major university to say, “We’re setting the pace in alternative energy”?
With an emphasis on wind energy on the horizon and the guilty pleasure of “going green” already a part our landscape, OSU needs to use what we have on the board the make our next move our best move. We’ve got the energy players in front of us, we’ve got the resources all around us, and we have a legislature and administration eager to elevate the name of our great institution. Will we make OSU’s orange the world’s new green?
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