Permian Energy Development Lab kicks off community listening tour with goal of community members shaping the Lab’s plans

ODESSA, TEXAS (Tuesday, April 2, 2024)—The Permian Energy Development Lab will host meetings today in Big Spring, Texas and Carlsbad, New Mexico (details here), kicking off a series of community-based gatherings across the Permian Basin. The purpose is to describe PEDL’s work, introduce its leaders, and gather input from community members, who will shape the Lab’s path forward.

Made up of colleges, universities, national labs, and a center for advanced research, PEDL is a new nonprofit organization focused on advanced energy research, education and workforce development, and community engagement—all interconnected matters.

“There is a lot of wisdom in the Permian’s small communities, and that’s why getting out and hearing from the people who live and work in the region is our starting point,” said Marilu Hastings, executive vice president of the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation and founder of PEDL.

“This region has helped shape energy’s past and present and is uniquely suited to shaping the future. That’s a story of people: people with industry experience and technical expertise, people with vision and big ideas, and people who understand what matters to the communities most affected by energy development. The Lab is about collaboration among these groups—all with a goal of keeping the Permian at the center of the global energy economy.”

ADVANCED ENERGY RESEARCH

Central to PEDL's research work is the belief that there is no singular path to the future of energy; the Permian will need a diverse approach. That's the vision behind the Permian Integrated Energy System, PEDL's first major research effort, centered on a 320-acre plot in Yoakum County, Texas. 
The site will test the integration of energy systems, including solar arrays for carbon capture, solar power and natural gas used to create hydrogen fuel for heavy industry, solar-powered water treatment systems, and cotton fields with solar panels that help power carbon capture and hydrogen production.

EDUCATION, WORKFORCE & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Recognizing the vital role of a skilled workforce in the energy transition, PEDL has established an education and workforce team to identify future industry needs, bridge classroom and industry knowledge gaps, create diverse educational pathways, and explore innovative learning strategies. 
A key initiative is an advanced energy credential program that will provide in-depth knowledge on critical topics like water management, carbon capture, hydrogen, and solar energy, equipping professionals with expertise to shape the advanced energy sector.

COMMUNITY

The goal of the Lab’s community engagement program is to create opportunities for everyone living in and around the energy sector to fairly share the benefits and costs of development. Building on community input on the design of PEDL and continuing with this listening tour, the Lab will raise awareness of education and career opportunities in the new energy environment, providing a forum for people to weigh in on decisions affecting their communities.

About the Permian Energy Development Lab

The Permian Energy Development Lab is a collaboration among seven Texas and New Mexico colleges and universities, two national laboratories and a center for advanced research. PEDL’s intent is to ensure that the benefits of advanced energy flow throughout Permian communities. To achieve this, PEDL focuses on conducting advanced energy research and deployment, educating the next generation of energy professionals, and supporting energy-intensive communities and the natural resources on which they depend. PEDL builds on the Permian’s legacy in oil and gas, ensuring the region remains a global leader in the energy economy of the future.

For additional information about PEDL and the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, contact Brett Holmes at bholmes@cgmf.org or +1 (713) 244-4178. 

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