Doyle Presents Local Energy Innovators to U.S. Energy Secretary Moniz

Pittsburgh, PA – U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA-14) hosted U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz at a breakfast meeting this morning with local energy innovation leaders followed by a tour of the Energy Innovation Center. 

 

“There are a lot of important, exciting developments on the energy front taking place in Pittsburgh today,” Congressman Doyle said at the meeting. “I believe that with so many leaders in so many different energy sectors, Pittsburgh could well dominate energy markets in the coming century the way Saudi Arabia did in the last one – creating jobs and prosperity in the process. Consequently, I’ve worked to support a number of energy initiatives in southwestern Pennsylvania, and I wanted Secretary Moniz to see some of the exciting advances in energy technology taking place in Pittsburgh.” 

 

“The Energy Innovation Center is a shining example of the bright energy ideas coming out of Pittsburgh,” Secretary Moniz said. “The EIC has great potential to promote the commercialization and widespread adoption of the clean energy advances that are being made in this region. I’ve worked extensively with Mike Doyle on energy issues in Washington, and today I saw how committed he is to pushing new energy technologies here in Pittsburgh that will improve our entire nation's economy, environment, national security, and quality of life.”

 

The meeting was followed by a tour of the Energy Innovation Center, a Pittsburgh-based, not-for-profit workforce training facility and small business incubator. Its mission is to help develop and commercialize clean “green” energy technologies – and to provide local workers with the skills needed to get good jobs in this growing energy sector. The Energy Innovation Center, which is located in the former Connelley Vocational High School, is also intended to promote the revitalization of the Lower Hill District. The Energy Innovation Center is one of a number of significant energy-related initiatives underway in Southwestern Pennsylvania – ranging from reducing the environmental impact of traditional fossil fuels to increasing energy-efficiency to developing alternative and renewable energy. 

 

“Five years ago our region’s government leaders envisioned a center where corporations and educational institutions could integrate research and workforce development,” noted Robert A. Meeder, President and CEO of the Energy Innovation Center. “Today the EIC has infused the products and processes of more than 130 corporations, large and small, into this campus.  Now, we are preparing the shops and labs for, at minimum, seven educational institutions.”

 

“I worked hard over a number of years with Jim Ferlo, Pittsburgh Gateways, and a host of partners to transform the Connelley Vocational School into this Energy Innovation Center, a LEED-certified 21st century business incubator, laboratory space, and job training facility focused on green energy technology,” Congressman Doyle observed.  “We believe that the Energy Innovation Center will promote Pittsburgh’s growth as a leader in the energy industry. It’s intended to be a one-stop shop for facilitating the commercialization and widespread adoption of clean energy advances made in this region.”

 

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