Last week, we hosted the inaugural roundtable and public launch of the Center for Rural Energy Security (CRES) – the nation’s first university institute dedicated to energy policy and research with a specific focus on agriculture, rural communities and rural economic development.

Led by Dr. Michael Sykuta, CRES features Mizzou faculty experts in economics, engineering, ag policy, energy policy and environmental law, among other key areas. The center unites their expertise with state energy leaders and the center’s founding partners, including Missouri Farm Bureau, Associated Electric Cooperative, Missouri Corn Growers Association, Ameren and Evergy. The roundtable was our first opportunity to share the center’s research and hear directly from partners about how our work can benefit Missouri’s energy future. CAFNR Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert and Arts & Science Dean Cooper Drury also shared remarks about the center’s vision and impact.

CRES is one of many ways Mizzou works with industry and government to address evolving energy needs. Our new Energy Innovation Center will drive energy research and public policy to meet rising demand. Mizzou is also home to the nation’s most powerful university research reactor, MURR – and plans are underway for an even more powerful reactor to serve as a national hub of nuclear innovation and research, NextGen MURR.

We’re grateful to CRES partners for their continued support. Together, we can create impactful solutions for abundant, secure energy that powers each Missouri community and supports our state’s top economic driver: agriculture.

— Mun