From the Chairman, Richard Zuercher, Dominion

From the Chairman, Richard Zuercher, Dominion

Public education about energy has become more important than ever in the face of record high oil and gasoline prices, an ever-growing appetite for electricity, global competition for energy resources, and an intensifying dialog over the role of energy in climate change.  We continue to hear from energy companies and agencies that the pool of employment candidates is fairly small and that a national effort to encourage students to consider careers in energy is necessary.  NEED’s role in the education of our teachers and students is crucial today for preparing students to make the appropriate decisions about our energy future when they become adults and assume leadership roles. 

As I attend NEED teacher workshops and student events throughout the year, I realize that the work we do has significant impact – educating teachers and students with energy content in a balanced way, encouraging student leadership, bringing the community into the classroom and the classroom into the community, and preparing students to share their knowledge with their families and peers.  NEED students develop energy knowledge and a great deal more. 
 
NEED’s Vision 2030 plan recommends meeting the growing demand for energy education by significantly expanding NEED’s reach in the nation's schools over the next decade.   What does this mean?  It means that NEED, working with our sponsors and partners, will be making every effort to supply curriculum and training wherever and whenever possible.  We are looking at new methods of delivery of NEED programs, moving many more resources to the web than ever before – knowing that teachers may not be able to attend NEED workshops, but will find value in the 28 years of curriculum development and expansion found in the curriculum materials in use today.  NEED has changed as the classroom experience has evolved and we must stay fresh, current and responsive to the needs of today’s students, teachers, and families. 

The NEED Board of Directors is committed to the success of NEED and is actively seeking new partners and sponsors to assist NEED in bringing teacher training and curriculum to more communities.   I was pleased when my own company, Dominion, chose to provide funding for NEED’s expanded climate change curriculum and teacher workshops.  As teachers request more training and resources, companies and organizations like Dominion will need to support NEED’s efforts more than ever before.  As we celebrate the 28th Annual NEED Youth Awards for Energy Achievement, we are grateful to the thousands of teachers and students who believe that energy education is important to our nation’s future and who carry that message to their schools and communities each day.  Dominion is proud to be a sponsor of NEED programs in the communities we serve and supports NEED’s rapid expansion into the nation's classrooms. 

Kind regards,

 

Richard Zuercher
Chairman