After gaining prominence in the national news, both the green movement (and the energy debate) have initiated ambitious initiatives and programs that range from increased electric vehicle use to further development of biofuels for electric power generation. America’s engineers are now joining the cause.
In collaboration with IEEE-USA and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the ASME developed a “National Energy Policy Goals Proclamation”The two societies have identified the top national energy priorities they would like Congress to implement in the coming years.
The engineering industry is widely considered to be the first to respond to the nation’s energy issues. It overwhelmingly supported the proclamation. 21 engineering societies representing more than 1,000,000 engineers embraced the proclamation.
The proclamation promotes the modernization and expansion of the nation’s electric transmission network. “The electric grid that exists in the country today has served the country
well for decades, but a redesigned and re-engineered system is needed that builds on the grid that is in place and makes use of the most advanced control technology available. It must support bringing electricity generated by new sustainable, economic and environmentally acceptable technologies to load centers around the country.”
Engineers are aware that abandoning nonrenewable resources is a common call from many groups. Engineers are looking for eco-friendly energy sources like solar, wind, and biomass. This proclamation emphasizes the use of energy from many sources, including coal and petroleum, nuclear, natural gases, solar, wind, geoothermal, biomass, and hydroelectric power.
The proclamation provides a commitment to long-term energy research, development, and demonstration by establishing concise, effective ways to adapt to climate change via carbon mitigation.
ASME is home to many people who work in the energy industry. It has been an invaluable source of knowledge and ideas for its members over the past 129 years. ASME is an established and trusted leader in the energy sector. Visit www.some.org for more information. www.asme.org.
