The Permian has a new collaborative
The Permian Energy Development Lab (PEDL) is a new collaboration focused on building on the Permian Basin’s status at the center of the global energy economy.
On Thursday PEDL announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding among seven New Mexico and Texas colleges and universities, two national laboratories, and a center for advanced energy research. The MOU reflects a shared goal of conducting advanced energy research and deployment, educating the next generation of energy professionals, and supporting energy-intensive communities and the natural resources they depend on.
Participating institutions to date include the Houston Advanced Research Center, Midland College, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), New Mexico State University, New Mexico Tech, Odessa College, Sandia National Laboratories, The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas at El Paso, and The University of Texas Permian Basin. The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation launched the effort and continues to incubate the startup organization.
George Mitchell is the acknowledged Father of Fracking in Texas. His success with Mitchell Energy led to his construction of the now wildly popular Woodlands development in North Houston. And why is it wildly popular? Because it is north of the Bush International Airport. Locate in the Woodlands and one does not fight the traffic from Houston north to the airport.
Permian Energy Development Lab is a big deal as there will finally be a constructive force from universities advocating for the Permian Basin rather than wanting to shut it down entirely. Note, the Permian Basin is now producing the lion’s share of U.S. energy production.
