California State University, Bakersfield forged a historic partnership with one of the most prestigious research laboratories in the world on Sept. 19 in an agreement that presents an ambitious agenda to evolve energy and decarbonization science, promote climate resiliency and create unprecedented opportunities for CSUB students, faculty researchers and industry partners.
“We are here today to herald a new era in energy that is vital to the security, sustainability and prosperity of our region and the world,” said CSUB President Lynnette Zelezny. “And there is no better place to celebrate this new era than right here in Kern County, where California’s energy industry was born.”
Lawerence Livermore National Laboratory and Livermore Lab Foundation signed a sweeping memorandum of understanding with CSUB, reportedly the first such agreement between the Department of Energy laboratory and a California State University campus.
“This collaboration builds upon Bakersfield’s strong academic commitment to educate the next generation of STEM leaders,” said Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Director Kim Budil. “It will also advance energy technologies and community engagement as a collaborative effort in the region. We’re pleased to help support Kern County’s energy transition with this agreement.”
In addition to a focus on clean-energy solutions, the three institutions will collaborate in decarbonization science, materials and advanced manufacturing, hydrogen technologies, energy storage, critical materials, STEM-student engagement and public outreach programs. The collaboration will also benefit the region through student fellowships, an innovation lab, future convenings and potential trips to the lab by community partners.
More than 100 representatives of CSUB, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, the Livermore Foundation, industry partners and community leaders witnessed the signing on Tuesday. Following President Zelezny’s welcome, Kern County Chief Administrative Officer Jim Zervis addressed the audience on Kern’s position as a leader in energy.
“In Kern County, we feed, fuel and defend the world,” said Zervis, noting that the county leads the state in crop value, aerospace and defense innovations and the production of energy, including clean energy.
He said CSUB’s partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory will be an “important part of our energy puzzle.”
“It’s an honor that the world’s premier scientists will call Kern County home.”
Dr. Kristen Watson, chief of staff to the president at CSUB, helped forge the agreement with the Livermore lab and foundation.
“I am so excited about the possibilities this partnership represents for our community and industry partners,” Watson said. “Kern County was and is the energy capital of California. This agreement ensures that our position at the vanguard of energy science and innovation will continue for generations to come.”
The morning also included a series of robust breakout sessions called “Conversations with Livermore – Finding Solutions to Drive Action.” Scientists and other participants discussed a number of topics: new energy technologies, advanced/critical materials, energy transport and storage, carbon/land management, and industry, community, government and philanthropic partnerships.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s Kim Mayfield and Steve Bohlen and Livermore Lab Foundation’s Sally Allen and Susan Houghton answered questions from representatives of Kern County companies and organizations in the industry, community, government and philanthropic partnerships session.
Mayfield noted the lab’s ability to be a “conduit for students” on a variety of projects, highlighting two CSUB students who were recently part of a lab fellowship conducting carbon research. Bohlen explained the wide range of opportunities there are to work with the lab, encouraging those gathered to consider the problems facing their organizations and how Lawrence Livermore can help.
Community engagement was another topic of the conversation, with Houghton discussing the need to make sure county residents have the necessary information to understand issues like carbon neutrality and carbon capture. To support that goal, the foundation has already partnered with the Kern High School District and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools to introduce these concepts to more than 3,000 students so far.
“There’s a broad landscape of partnership opportunities for us to engage in, generally focused around, ‘What are the really big problems that you’re dealing with? What are those problems that keep you from going to the next level, keep you from starting something new, that the lab might be able to help with?’ We’re only limited by the creativity that you bring to the issue that allows us to have a discussion and figure out a path forward,” Bohlen said.
Executive Director Sally Allen of the Livermore Lab Foundation said the projects that result from the agreement have the potential to create good, high-paying jobs to the area.
“Kern County has a tremendous opportunity to play a critical role in strengthening the STEM workforce pipeline and create good-paying jobs,” Allen said. “The Livermore Lab Foundation is delighted to support CSU Bakersfield on that journey as part of this unique triad agreement.”
President Zelezny summed up the stakes for the ambitious partnership.
“This is our moment, colleagues. Never has there been a greater sense of urgency and common cause over the need to evolve the science of energy. Our climate, national security, and the prosperity of the families here in California’s energy capital depend upon the progress that we will make together. And that progress begins today.”
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