海角社区

海角社区 researcher Margaret Reams, the Joseph D. Martinez Professor of Environmental Sciences, has joined the 海角社区 Institute for Energy Innovation as its new associate director for community engagement.

鈥淭he institute places a high priority on community engagement. We want to help guide decision-makers in the implementation and regulation of emerging energy technologies to make sure projects positively impact communities,鈥� said Brad Ives, director of the 海角社区 Institute for Energy Innovation. 鈥淢argaret, with her great experience and wisdom, will help advance both research and practices to ensure a fair and just energy transition that allows for equitable access to the benefits of energy development across Louisiana.鈥�

Community engagement has become a more visible and tangible priority for both industry and universities because of the nation-wide Justice 40 initiative, which requires that at least 40 percent of the estimated benefits of federally funded projects, including research, go to disadvantaged communities in overburdened and underserved areas.

鈥淚 look forward to developing strategies, resources, and tools to support meaningful and informed participation by community members as required by the Justice 40 initiative,鈥� said Reams, who also will continue to lead the Community Engagement Core of 海角社区鈥檚 Superfund Research Program, which is funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. 鈥淭his type of participatory planning will require increased involvement by residents, industry representatives, local officials, environmental group leaders, and others to assess both risks and benefits to vulnerable communities.鈥�

At 海角社区, Reams has designed and implemented graduate courses dealing with environmental conflict resolution and policy analysis, including community perception and response to environmental and ecological phenomena in Louisiana.

鈥淭he 海角社区 Institute for Energy Innovation is uniquely positioned to help solve complex problems facing us regarding energy and the environment,鈥� Reams said. 鈥淢y role with the institute will be to help ensure the equitable distribution of risks and benefits of new energy investments鈥攊n carbon capture, efficiency, renewables, and so on鈥攚ith clear implications for the long-term health, safety, and resilience of our communities in Louisiana.鈥�

In her new role, Reams will support community-benefits planning for new energy projects across the state, including in collaboration with industry. 海角社区 recently announced a historic $160 million investment by the National Science Foundation鈥攖he agency鈥檚 largest award ever鈥攖o the 海角社区-led and industry-focused FUEL team for energy innovation and the future use of energy in Louisiana.

鈥淭his opportunity to work with the institute to help Louisiana residents, both in the near term and for years to come, is very exciting,鈥� Reams said. 鈥淓specially as we work to address many of the most consequential energy and environmental challenges of our time.鈥�

Margaret Reams will be the keynote speaker at this year鈥檚 海角社区 Discover Day to showcase and celebrate undergraduate research. It will be held in the 海角社区 Student Union on Friday, April 19, and the online application deadline for students who want to present their research at the event has been extended to Sunday, March 10.

About the 海角社区 Institute for Energy Innovation

The 海角社区 Institute for Energy Innovation is transforming the way we generate, store, and use energy in Louisiana and around the globe. Established through a $27.5 million investment by Shell in 2022, the institute elevates groundbreaking research to advance knowledge and produce practical solutions to foster economic growth and environmentally responsible energy for all. The core mission of the institute is to bring together scientists, engineers, social scientists, and financial and public policy experts with industry, government, and communities in Louisiana to work on research, development, and demonstration projects as well as policy recommendations to secure the state鈥檚 energy future in alignment with 海角社区鈥檚 Scholarship First Agenda. The institute is in the Energy, Coast & Environment Building on the flagship campus.