CEO discusses energy

By Chris Reilly

Staff Reporter

Publication Date: 04/10/2008

The CEO of American Electric Power spoke at Fowler Hall Wednesday about the future of energy.

CEO Michael Morris gave an introduction of technologies like wind, solar, biomass and nuclear power and how these technologies are a part of today’s power industry.

Purdue was the fifth of six colleges that Morris planned to visit. Others included Virginia Tech, University of Arkansas, Ohio State, Howard University and University of Tulsa. Morris tried to have a dialogue with students about ways to address concerns about energy.

“How do we use less energy for the things we do?” Morris asked the audience at the beginning of the discussion.

He said he believes electric vehicles are an important part of reducing energy consumption and also claims hydrogen to be “one of the fuels of the future.”

“We need to drive cars that use less fuel,” he said. “We think plug-in vehicles are a very good idea.”

Morris gave a positive message to students.

“Someone like you or some little third grader or some 2-year-old is going to solve these problems,” he said.

Students responded with questions about the viability of current technology in the industry.

Parag Rastogi, a sophomore in the College of Engineering, asked about storing renewable energy, like solar in batteries.

“I was hoping to find out an industry perspective,” he said.