By Rod Capps
The Fastest Path to Zero Summit, hosted at the University of Michigan on April 8th, marks the launch of a new interdisciplinary climate initiative focused on clean energy deployment. The UM Energy Institute and the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences have partnered to form a cross-campus team of interdisciplinary experts to tackle difficult research questions about how policymakers, researchers, and communities can work together to meet ambitious climate goals in Michigan and across the nation.
The mission of the Fastest Path to Zero Initiative is to identify, innovate, and pursue the fastest path to zero emissions by optimizing clean energy deployment through:
• energy innovation;
• interdisciplinary analysis; and
• evidence-driven approaches to community engagement.
We will achieve this mission through:
• building unique research partnerships across the university and with outside partners;
• connecting key research insights with policymakers;
• supporting grantmaking;
• clean energy workforce development; and
• providing resources to communities so they can determine the best path to decarbonization.
Dr. Todd Allen, Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences Department Chair, will serve as Founding Director. The University has tapped Suzanne Hobbs Baker as the Creative Director for the initiative.
