STANFORD’S $100 MIL TO NEW ENERGY R&D CENTER

Stanford announces $100 million in new funds for research on energy security, sustainability
Terence Chea, January 12, 2009 (AP via Yahoo Finance)

“Stanford University…has raised $100 million to create a new research center focused on combating global warming and developing cleaner sources of energy.

“The new Precourt Institute for Energy will focus on research related to improving energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, studying national energy policy and developing renewable power sources such as wind, solar and biomass.

“The $100 million in new funding will bolster the $30 million the university already spends annually on energy research.

“The founding donors are Stanford alum and energy executive Jay Precourt, and Thomas Steyer and his wife Kat Taylor. Steyer is a Stanford trustee and managing partner of Farallon Capital Management…

“The Precourt Institute for Energy will be headed by Lynn Orr, a professor of energy resources engineering who has served as director of Stanford's Global Climate and Energy Project, which will become part of the new research center. The new institute will bring together more than 130 faculty members working in 21 departments...[and] add six to eight new faculty members, 20 fellowships for graduate students and more fellowships for postdoctoral researchers…

“In addition, the center will create an "energy innovation fund" to finance promising research projects, and help the university expand course offerings related the energy…”