Sustainable energy is focus of YSU forum

Sustainable energy is focus of YSU forum

YOUNGSTOWN

The role of government in the promotion of sustainable energy was the focus of much of the morning session of the Youngstown State University Sustainable Energy Forum.

The two-day forum began today in the Kilcawley Center at YSU.

The role of government in terms of sustainable energy needs to be one that is developed for and by business, said Sam Randazzo, general counsel for Industrial Energy Users of Ohio.

The current situation in Ohio mandates how much of renewable energy sources should be used, he said.

“The system we have is not very dynamic or open to innovation,” Randazzo said. “We shouldn’t be picking winners in terms of energy.”

The U.S. Department of Energy is making progress relating to energy efficiency and renewable energy, said Jason Walsh, senior advisor for energy efficiency and renewable energy with the U.S. Department of Energy.

In each year the president has been in office there has been an increase in domestic oil and gas production, he said.

“We also set historic fuel economy standards working with the auto industry,” Walsh said.

The forum continues Tuesday with several roundtable discussions on energy subjects.

For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Vindicator or vindy.com