March 7, 2008

Purdue Pugwash conference to focus on energy consumption

The conference, titled "Energy and the Environment: Powering Future Responsibility," will feature Peter B. Lyons, the commissioner of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The conference also will consist of sessions on global warming solutions, solar power, nuclear energy, hybrid electric vehicles and biofuels.

Lyons will speak at 9 a.m. March 22 in Stewart Center's Fowler Hall on "The NRC in a Nuclear Renaissance." Since becoming commissioner in 2005, he has focused on the safety of operating reactors and on the importance of learning from operating experience, even as new reactor licensing and possible construction emerges.

Lyons received his doctorate in nuclear astrophysics from the California Institute of Technology in 1969 and earned his undergraduate degree in physics and mathematics from the University of Arizona in 1964.

Other Pugwash conference events include:

- 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 21. Purdue Memorial Union South Ballroom. "Our Relationship with Energy: A Conference Introduction." Alan H. McGowan, chairman of the board, Student Pugwash USA.

- 7:30-8:45 p.m. Purdue Memorial Union South Ballroom. "Barriers to a Sustainable Energy System." Frank Laird, associate professor of technology and public policy at the Graduate School of International Studies, University of Denver.

- 10:30-11:50 a.m. March 22. Stewart Center. Breakout sessions including "Humans and Global Warming," "Technologies of Hybrid Electric Vehicles" and "Biofuels."

- 2:30-3:45 p.m. Stewart Center's Fowler Hall. "Global Warming Solutions." Edward Rubin, professor of engineering and public policy and mechanical engineering, Carnegie-Mellon University.

Registration for the Purdue Student Pugwash Midwest Conference costs $25 for the general public, $20 for Purdue students and $10 for high school students. Registrants will receive a conference booklet, guaranteed seating for the Lyons lecture and other conference events, breakfast and lunch on March 22, and a conference T-shirt. To register, visit https://www.cec.purdue.edu/eC2K/CourseListing.asp?master_id=1828&master_version=1& course_area=1288&course_number=120&course_subtitle=00

For registration information, contact Nona Schaler at (765) 494-2756, njschaler@purdue.edu

Student Pugwash USA is a national organization that promotes open discussion on topics pertaining to science, technology and ethics. The first Pugwash conference was held in 1957 and was based on the principles of the Einstein-Russell Manifesto. Its mission is to focus on the ethical considerations scientists must face in their work. Pugwash received a Nobel Peace Prize in 1995 for its efforts in raising awareness about the ethics of scientific research.

The Purdue chapter of Student Pugwash USA has been on campus for 18 years, and this is the third year the conference has been held at Purdue.

The Purdue conference is sponsored by the Office of the Provost, BP, College of Engineering, Student Pugwash USA, College of Science, Office of the Vice President for Research, Purdue University Libraries, School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Liberal Arts, School of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Indiana Academy of Science, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Center for the Environment, College of Agriculture, Department of Chemistry, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Science, Department of Political Science, Energy Center at Discovery Park, Krannert School of Management, Purdue Climate Change Research Center, Purdue Graduate School, Purdue Student Union Board, School of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Department of Biochemistry, Materials Science Engineering, School of Nuclear Engineering and Department of Physics.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Source: Jessica Holsinger, Purdue Student Pugwash vice president, (317) 752-6696, jmholsin@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Journalists are invited to attend any of the conference events. To make arrangements, contact Jessica Holsinger, vice president, Purdue Student Pugwash, (317) 752-6696, jmholsin@purdue.edu

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