National energy report encourages basic science research

John Hemminger (pictured), UC Irvine physical sciences dean, chaired a national committee that recently released a report on the energy/environment crisis. The 13-page report makes the case that real solutions to the crisis will require basic research in the areas of chemistry and physics. The report was distributed to science policymakers, including members of president-elect Barack Obama’s transition team, federal house and senate Appropriations Committee staffers, presidents of major research universities, and Ralph Cicerone, president of the National Academy of Sciences and former UCI chancellor. Policymakers in other countries also will receive the report, which was issued by the U.S. Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee.