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November 9, 2000

Engineering center gets $500,000 from Dominion

Dominion, the energy company formed by the merger of Dominion Resources and Consolidated Natural Gas Company, has donated $500,000 to the Dominion Center for Environment and Energy at Pitt's School of Engineering.

The center was dedicated formally and renamed Nov. 3 by Thomas E. Capps, Dominion's chairman, president and chief executive officer, and Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg.

"We are impressed by Pitt's approach to research," said Capps. "Instead of just identifying problems, Pitt works to find solutions to problems. If we are to satisfy America's growing energy needs in an environmentally responsible way, we must be problem-solvers."

"Dominion's grant is one example of partnerships forged with a broad range of businesses and industries that contribute to Pitt's ability to find solutions to the challenges facing our community and our world," Nordenberg said.

Dominion, headquartered in Richmond, Va., is the nation's largest fully integrated electric power and natural gas company.

The center, previously known as the Engineering Center for the Environment and Energy, conducts multi-disciplinary research into real-world problems, coordinating teams of faculty experts with industry and federal, state and local governmental agencies.

The $500,000 grant from the Dominion Foundation will be used to refurbish laboratories and support research programs in developing new sources of energy and finding more efficient and environmentally friendly ways to use traditional energy resources, in addition to solving problems with air, water and land pollution.

Gerald Holder, USX Dean of the School of Engineering, said that George A. Davidson Jr., retired Dominion chairman and a member of Pitt's Board of Trustees, was instrumental in securing the grant, which is part of Pitt's capital campaign. The University is hoping to raise $500 million by July 2003 to support its academic and research programs and facilities needs.

Filed under: Feature,Volume 33 Issue 6

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