To help citizens gain a better understanding of the United States' energy options and the ramifications of its choices, the College of Engineering and Computing is sponsoring five public forums across South Carolina, beginning April 30.

Forums on Our Energy Future will focus on nuclear power (April 30 at USC Aiken), coal (May 14 at Florence-Darlington Technical College), hydrogen (June 4 on the Columbia campus), renewable energy (June 25 at USC Upstate), and energy conservation (July 23 at Claflin University).

"Our energy resources in the years ahead will draw from multiple materials and technologies," said Michael Amiridis, dean of the College of Engineering and Computing. "Coal, nuclear, and hydroelectric will probably be accompanied by solar, wind, ethanol, hydrogen, biomass, and other forms, and we need to discuss how these different forms will each have a role."

The forums will feature presentations from knowledgeable representatives for each form of energy, followed by an alternative response from another group. Because this is a presidential election year, representatives from the Democratic and Republican parties will also offer responses reflecting the views of their respective parties on the energy form discussed.

"It's our hope that people who attend these forums will acquire a better understanding of the relevant science and technology policies associated with each of these forms of energy," said Chris Toumey, a research associate in the College of Engineering and Computing who has helped organize the energy forums.

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