OIT Times: Massachusetts Roadmap Sessions Help Plot Future Directions

September 24, 2001

Two organizations at the Univ. of Massachusettshe Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (CEERE) and the National Environmental Technology Institute (NETI)re leading the state IOF effort in Massachusetts. UMass is a long-standing OIT partner in the IAC program, and the state's IOF program is benefitting from the school's knowledge of local manufacturers and the strong relationships they've forged over the years, having performed more than 500 energy audits.

The state initially focused on its chemical and forest products industries, with strong attendance at workshops for both industries. In the chemical industry, five high priority R&D areas were identified led by "Water Use and Re-Use." A forest products roadmap meeting was held at a TAPPI session. Future roadmap meetings are planned for both industries, and then teams will develop R&D proposals for OIT.

The Massachusetts state IOF is also starting roadmap efforts for the metal casting industry, and they've begun outreach and coalition building with the state's substantial printing and publishing industry.

"States IOF is an excellent avenue to deliver energy-related services," said Eric Winkler of CEERE. "One way we hope to build on our success is to get some of our state's premier research universities involved."

"We're working to get greater collaboration between local companies and local researchers on projects designed to solve local problems," added Chad Nelson of NETI. "Our manufacturers are smaller companies that tend not to do a lot of R&D, and researchers are anxious to direct their efforts toward the most in-demand areas, so States IOF is a perfect way to bring them together for mutual success."

For more information, visit www.maiof.org