ISU plans school of energy systems

POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State University plans to open a 15,000-square-foot Energy Systems Technology and Education Center this fall that will offer associate of technology degrees.

Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, attended the announcement on Friday that was the culmination of efforts by the school, the Idaho National Laboratory and a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

“I’m so impressed by the number of partners and the people involved in this,” Simpson said in a speech, the Idaho State Journal reported.

The new center, to be housed in existing buildings at the school, will also offer businesses the opportunity to test their products.

Richard Holman of the INL said the center could become one of the top sites in the Western United States for energy research.

“What if ISU became the first green campus in the U.S. which generates more power than it uses?” Holman asked.

Arthur Vailas, ISU president, said the center could lead to major changes in how energy is moved from power plants to users.

“It’s not just Idaho, the entire nation is looking on this place,” Vailas said. “There are so many other synergies that will come from this other than just economic development.”

Associate degrees in energy systems instrumentation and control engineering technology will be offered at the center. Those degrees open doors for jobs as technicians in the energy field, with salaries up to $70,000.

The center is also expected to help high school students learn math and science.

“This will provide an opportunity to people in our region to pursue training that will move them into jobs that pay a living wage,” Jessica Sotelo, executive director of Partners for Prosperity, told the Post Register. The eastern Idaho group is trying to eliminate poverty in that part of the state.

By 2009, the center could be offering associate degrees in mechanical engineering technology. Officials at the INL say the region needs more technicians.