president John Henderson has announced the establishment of the Energy and Environment Center, further strengthening its regional leadership in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable design, and the environment.
Representing what Henderson calls "just a first step", the center will not only consolidate the college's green energy and construction offerings, but also will serve as a regional resource for businesses and community leaders who are interested in environmental and energy-related issues and careers.
The college plans to conduct city, county, state, regional, and national meeting and events about vegetated roofs, sustainable design and construction, biofuels, and stormwater management."Cincinnati State already has one of the strongest energy management and environmental technologies programs in the Tri-State," says Henderson. "The Energy and Environment Center at Cincinnati State will help students, job seekers, businesses and the general public develop and execute a smart, cost-effective approach to energy policy, and protect the environment in the process."
The new center will launch with the assistance of a $500,000 grant from the
U.S. Department of Labor to expand its programs; a $25,000 grant from the
Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) to help displaced workers find jobs in green industries; an anonymous donation of $10,000 to support scholarships; and a renewable energy lab funded by the college,
Duke Energy, the Josephine Schell Russell Charitable Trust, and ODOD.
Cincinnati State has the region's first comprehensive program devoted to sustainable construction practices developed by the
U.S. Green Building Council and the region's first on-campus major devoted to renewable energy.
Majors also are available in environmental engineering technologies, power systems engineering technologies, and the design and operation of water and wastewater treatment plants.
"The people here at Cincinnati State are among those who believe that Cincinnati should become the center for sustainable, renewable energy in the Midwest," says Henderson. "We're committed to making that happen."
Writer:
Kevin LeMasterSources: John Henderson, president, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College; Robert White, communications coordinator/media relations, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Photography by Scott Beseler