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