GE gives Penn State US$10M for natural gas research
by Kevin Begos, The Associated Press
The money will be donated over five years and earmarked for different uses. GE will also have engineers in residence
PITTSBURGH—General Electric Co. will give Penn State University up to $10 million to create a new centre for natural gas industry research.
Penn State president Eric Barron said in a statement that the centre will produce tangible benefits to the industry, to communities that are affected by drilling or related activity, and to consumers.
GE said the money will support research projects, equipment, and undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral fellowships at The Center for Collaborative Research on Intelligent Natural Gas Supply Systems. Barron planned to speak about the centre during a luncheon with GE Senior Vice-President Mark Little. GE is based in Fairfield, Connecticut.
The new centre will include faculty from the Smeal College of Business, Earth and Mineral Sciences, Engineering, and Information Sciences and Technology.
Charles Whiteman, dean of the Smeal College, said the centre opens up “great new opportunities for research” on real-world problems. Whiteman said that over time the project could lead to more efficient drilling and gas distribution, reduced pollution, and even lower prices for consumers. He said Penn State will be able to hire new faculty members for the project and that a couple of dozen teachers plus students will be involved each year.
The Marcellus Shale is a gas-rich formation that lies deep under large parts of Pennsylvania and nearby states. A drilling boom that began in 2008 has made the Marcellus the most productive natural gas field in the nation, but also has led to concerns about air and water pollution, leaky pipelines, and local zoning authority.
GE said the money will be donated over the next five years and earmarked for different uses. The company will also have engineers in residence to work with faculty and students.
