Sustainable Energy Forum scheduled for next week

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Representatives of government, industry and academia will get together at Youngstown State University next week to look at how a proposed Cleveland-to-Youngstown-to- Pittsburgh “technology belt” can play a role in emerging technologies.

Specifically, the two-day Sustainable Energy Forum on Monday and Tuesday will look at technologies related to renewable energy and energy efficiency.

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, a strong advocate of the Mahoning Valley’s taking advantage of the development of the two-state technology belt in terms of developing education and attracting high-tech industry, will be the keynote speaker at 9 a.m. Monday in Schwebel Auditorium in Moser Hall.

Jack Scott, a YSU alum and president and chief operating officer of Parsons Corp., also will address the forum, speaking immediately before Ryan.

Parsons, which has 12,000 employees and revenues that exceeded $3.4 billion in 2008, is an engineering, construction and technical management services company with worldwide operations.

Ryan, Scott, Mayor Jay Williams and Dean Martin Abraham of YSU’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics will address the forum goals at a press conference at 10 a.m. Monday outside Moser Hall.

The press conference will feature a fuel-cell-powered Chevrolet Equinox, a vehicle that can travel about 300 miles per hydrogen fill-up and reach a top speed of 100 mph.