Dedicated students, distinguished colleagues and dear friends,

Happy Friday! Happy International Reducing CO₂ Emissions Day!

Today, on Wednesday, January 28, as I write this message, many around the world are celebrating International Reducing CO₂ Emissions Day. Without engaging in the pros and cons of carbon dioxide itself, the benefits of reducing emissions to improve air quality are indisputable.

I have highlighted many of our emission reduction efforts in my past messages. These include many of the activities of our Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IIES), with the goal of combining different energy sources and technologies to create a more efficient, sustainable and reliable energy supply while minimizing combustion emissions. IIES optimizes power generation and overall energy use by reducing, not eliminating, reliance on nonrenewable energy sources. 

Among many other activities related to energy efficiency and emission control, the mission of our Center for Research in Energy and Environment (CREE) is to develop and implement environmental technologies to address sustainability challenges by conducting research to reduce energy source emissions.

In a new emission-reduction, energy-related development, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed an executive order to establish the Advanced Nuclear Energy Task Force to promote energy development in Missouri. We here at S&T are excited about the possibilities and have proactively engaged several relevant organizations to heighten our nuclear energy efforts in support of the state’s nuclear energy initiatives. We held our first joint meeting with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources leadership team on campus to discuss our joint effort on this exciting new energy front. In my earlier message titled “Reliable, Affordable, Renewable,” I asserted that the time has arrived for us to put our fears aside and embrace nuclear energy as the most reliable, sustainable source to address America’s ever-increasing energy needs. We are delighted to know that the message has gained momentum at the state level. 

On the other side of the energy-generation and emission-reduction equation, our impressive Geothermal Energy Systemhas proven remarkably beneficial. With over 1,200 wells and associated thermo-mechanical systems, our geothermal system energizes 29 of S&T’s campus buildings (which represents two-thirds of our total square footage), saves nearly 20 million gallons of water annually, reduces energy consumption by 60 percent and reduces 26,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

In our newest effort to contribute to emission reductions, and as we strengthen S&T’s presence in St. Louis to serve the graduate education needs of working professionals, we have launched our daily shuttle service between Rolla and St. Louis. The shuttle offers reliable, Wi-Fi-enabled transportation for students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors who travel for S&T activities. In addition to creating a direct and dependable connection between our Rolla campus and multiple St. Louis locations, the shuttle service contributes to decreased road congestion, improved air quality, energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions. Not to mention the added advantage of being able to work or rest on the 200-mile round trip.

I encourage you to consider using our shuttle when traveling between Rolla and St. Louis. It saves time, money and CO₂, regardless of which side of the CO₂ conversation you’re on.

Warmly,

-Mo.
 
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Mohammad Dehghani, PhD
Chancellor
mo@mst.edu | 573-341-4116

206 Parker Hall, 300 West 13th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-0910
chancellor.mst.edu