BHEF’s National Higher Education and Workforce Initiative Expands into Emerging Field of Shale Energy

West Virginia University and Northeast Natural Energy Form Strategic Partnership to Create Groundbreaking Curriculum and Develop the Appalachian Region Shale Energy Industry

Washington, D.C. (January 23) – West Virginia University (WVU) and Northeast Natural Energy (NNE) have partnered through BHEF’s National Higher Education and Workforce Initiative (HEWI) to drive innovation and competiveness in the shale industry. The WVU-NNE project—Shale Energy Research, Outreach and Education—will expand on the current research efforts in developing the Appalachian region’s shale energy industry. As a part of the HEWI, in addition to developing the new undergraduate pathways in this emerging field, the project will strengthen the region’s economic competitive advantage, provide increased energy options to the region, improve technologies related to the natural gas industry, and expand on community development and public health needs.

This collaboration is another example of BHEF’s model of strategic business engagement in action, and aligns with the university’s land-grant mission of teaching, research, and service. Ultimately, the research expertise gained from this project will be shared with partners worldwide. “This partnership with Northeast Natural Energy is a fulfillment of the mission of a modern land-grant institution such as WVU," said President E. Gordon Gee, a long-time BHEF member. “It is crucial that higher education work closely with industry, both to encourage innovation and to provide jobs."

“We are excited about the impact this project will have on energy research, the development of new undergraduate curriculum, and on the talent pipeline in the Appalachian region,” said BHEF CEO Brian Fitzgerald. “BHEF and its members remain committed to exposing students to emerging fields by engaging in innovations tuned to critical workforce needs.”