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WVU professors named to new energy advisory council

West Virginia University professors Heather Stephens and James Van Nostrand have been named to the advisory council of the new Ohio River Valley Institute. Heather Stephens

Launched in August 2020, the Ohio River Valley Institute is focused on creating jobs by researching and promoting a clean energy economy in the Appalachian regions of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky.

Stephens, an associate professor of resource economics and management in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, is an expert in regional policy and development.

“Finding new sustainable ways to support regional growth is extremely important to the long-term economic prospects of the region,” she said. “My goal as a researcher is to conduct high-quality research that has a real impact on policy and regional vitality. Hopefully, by being associated with ORVI, I will have another venue for James Van Nostrand making sure my research makes a real difference.”

Van Nostrand is a professor of law and director of the Center for Energy and Sustainable Development at the WVU College of Law. He has an extensive background in clean energy issues.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve on the Advisory Council of the Ohio River Valley Institute,” he said. “The goals of the Institute — to promote development of a clean energy economy and a more sustainable path for the region — are very compatible with the mission of the Center for Energy and Sustainable Development. I hope to be able to contribute to the impact of the Institute in shaping the future of the greater Ohio River Valley.”

Stephens, Van Nostrand and other advisors will provide expertise on economic, technology, and policy-making issues. The institute aims to frequently produce blog posts, articles and white papers, among other works.

-WVU-

jj/lw/9/3/20

CONTACT: Lindsay Willey
Director of Marketing and Communications
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
304-293-2381; Lindsay.Willey@mail.wvu.edu

James Jolly
Director of Marketing and Communications
WVU College of Law
304-293-7439; James.Jolly@mail.wvu.edu