The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy held its Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative — Midwest Summit focusing on clean energy industries and technologies in The University of Toledo Memorial Field House June 21.
Attending the Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative — Midwest Summit last week were, from left, Dr. David Danielson, assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy for the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur and UT President Lloyd Jacobs.
Dr. David Danielson, assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy for the U.S. Department of Energy, praised Toledo’s and UT’s Midwest culture and history in manufacturing and alternative energy, identifying them as key reasons the Glass City was selected as the site for the summit.
“It is clear to me that The University of Toledo is breaking the ivory tower mold,” Danielson said, adding that UT President Lloyd Jacobs is leading UT toward being a center of commercial competitiveness in addition to fulfilling its educational mission.
Praising the Midwest work ethic in Toledo, Danielson said, “We see the history, the legacy and the culture … the commitment to getting things done.”
Saying he had a bias toward action, Danielson emphasized that about 20 members of his staff had joined him in the journey to Toledo as evidence of his interest in hearing ideas from the energy experts assembled.
Joining Danielson in giving keynote speeches were U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown; Deborah Wince-Smith, president and CEO of the Council on Competitiveness, also gave remarks.
Jacobs said the summit served as further evidence of UT’s leadership position in alternative energy manufacturing.
“It was an honor to host the Department of Energy, to hear from strong UT friends like Rep. Kaptur, Sen. Brown and the office of Sen. Portman, and to meet a new friend in Assistant Secretary Danielson,” Jacobs said.
“With so many groundbreaking ideas emerging from The University of Toledo in alternative energy during the last 30 years, it only seems fitting to gather the best minds in the field as we prepare for the next three decades of clean energy and manufacturing.”
