Scientists from across the nation will converge on the Radisson Hotel in Morgantown June 14-16 for the 2005 NSF /DOE EPSCoR Conference sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The event is being hosted by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and West Virginia Universitys National Research Center for Coal and Energy (NRCCE).

EPSCoR, or the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, is a federal research program to promote science and technology (S&T) through partnerships among universities, industry, government agencies and federal research and development agencies in selected states. EPSCoR’s goal is to promote statesS&T resources as a foundation for economic growth. West Virginia is one of the original EPSCoR states.

This years conference will place special emphasis on the search for clean, affordable and secure energy resources for the nation.

Highlights for June 15th include welcoming remarks by WVU President David C. Hardesty, Jr., discussion of options for the U.S.s energy future by NETL Interim Director Carl Bauer, and a presentation about energy trends in the U.S. and abroad by Lewellyn King, publisher of the Energy Daily. Also, NETL scientists will present opportunities for research collaborations.

June 16th will include information about how university researchers may collaborate with scientists from Los Alamos, Sandia, Pacific Northwest, Argonne, Brookhaven, and Oak Ridge national laboratories. Also, NETL will conduct a tour of its facilities.

The event is open to all college and university faculty in West Virginia who are U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens. Registration is free but participants must register in advance. For information and to register, visit the NETL s website:http://www.netl.doe.gov/events/05conferences/EPSCoR/index.html.