Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Northampton County, is one of 26 universities across the country selected for negotiation of award to set up and operate regional Industrial Assessment Centers.

The centers will employ faculty and students to assist small-to-medium sized American manufacturing plants to use energy more efficiently.

The IAC program is intended to train young engineers to better understand how the role of energy efficiency and renewable energy can play in manufacturing and industrial processes. Participating students gain practical experience and hands-on training in energy engineering.

The IAC program also helps America’s small- and medium-sized manufacturers and industrial processors receive comprehensive, energy assessments of their operations, performed at no cost.

For purposes of the assessments, the U.S. Department of Energy defines small and medium-sized manufacturers as those with annual energy costs between $100,000 and $2.5 million.

A list of IAC Best Energy Practices is also available online.

More information, visit the Lehigh University Industrial Assessment Center webpage.

7/28/2006