In the 20th Century, Texas was clearly known as the center of the energy business, and in the minds of many, the world. Now a case can be made for Georgia to become the legitimate global center of energy for policy, for innovation and production in the 21st Century, solidifying the state as the center of intellectual thought, research, strategy and practical use,
Craig Lesser
At this moment, Georgia is in the center of some remarkable energy happenings. Multiple new massive electric battery manufacturing announcements are being made. The New York Times has referred to the region around Commerce as “The Battery Belt.” The nation’s only new nuclear reactors will soon be going online. Two major electric vehicle manufacturers are building assembly plants.
Let’s add some color to the story. Georgia is the home of Southern Company, one of the country’s major electricity and gas suppliers, and the state has a regulatory history that has been favorable to new energy initiatives– particularly in nuclear, solar and wind resources. Georgia Tech, one of the world’s leading research universities is in Atlanta with spokes around the world. And many large energy consumers with data centers like Google, Amazon and Microsoft are already investing in the state. Many communities in the state are looking at ways to provide more efficient services to their citizens as well as look at new initiatives in economic development. Peachtree Corners is a leading example of a relatively small municipality that is making its mark on the world with its Curiosity Lab– a research and demonstration site for autonomous vehicles, drones, cyber and all sectors of IOT– as well as hosting a thriving incubator.
Now let’s propose some structure:
With $100 million to start, funding coming from state government, the private sector and federal grants, as well as foundations, Georgia sets up the Georgia Global Energy Policy Center. Here, the entire University System of Georgia participates. Georgia Tech becomes the hub as the overall Center of Energy Supply Research. The University of Georgia, under the combined umbrella of the engineering and agricultural schools, becomes the Center for Rural Energy Research and Policy. Georgia Southern takes on the Center of Air and Sea Energy Research and Policy and Georgia State becomes the Center of Urban Energy Research and Policy.
Each of these centers would engage with already existing business in the state, many of whom already fund various chairs in higher education. Companies such as Southern, Delta, Lockheed, Gulfstream, AGCO, Fieldale Farms, Kia, SK, Hyundai, Mercedes Benz, Porsche and literally dozens of others would be invited to engage in the efforts.
Additionally, Georgia might expand its already strong international ties with countries such as Korea, Israel, Canada and others to create an international team, with a bricks and mortar location in the state that would unite the vision and substantiate the optics that we admire in Research Triangle and Silicon Valley.
Georgia has already developed a solid reputation for logistics, with Hartsfield Jackson International Airport and the Georgia Ports as the very tops in their sectors and all very much reliant on the most efficient and cutting-edge energy concepts.
Because Georgia is not an energy producing state, and most states and countries are not, then why not be the state that has the most competitive and innovative ideas to meet the growing energy needs we are all facing?
Now, what’s in it for Georgia? Easy! With a heavy play as the world’s renowned energy center, we continue to march forward as a commercial global player, enhancing the state’s reputation not only as the best place to do business, but as a smart place, attracting smart people to fill the most important part of today’s economic development challenge. That component is an educated, talented and committed workforce. Of course, it grows as a marketing tool to attract more global entrepreneurs and innovators.
Georgia could use the energy leadership concept to develop new programs to encourage middle and high schoolers to study and work in the growing sector, particularly near the universities and technical schools in rural Georgia.
This is a nonpartisan effort. Today’s energy challenges and those of tomorrow face all of us. The issues are global and are personal at the same time. Research and development on this scale can only benefit every Georgian, whether it is creating new jobs or new efficiencies that impact electric and gas bills.
Georgians dream big. This idea might just catapult Georgia to an elite spot in the world we in Georgia all dream about.
Craig Lesser is chairman of The Pendleton Group and served as Georgia’s Commissioner of Economic Development from 2004 to 2007.
