Clark Presents on Energy Efficiency Development and Job Creation

Alfred State College Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Craig R. Clark recently presented on energy efficiency development and job creation at the annual Development District Association of Appalachia Annual Conference in Washington, DC.

Clark’s presentation highlighted the renewable energy, weatherization, and green home laboratory projects funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission through Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board, Alfred State College’s local development district. Thanks to over $325,000 of ARC funds these projects have allowed the college to expand its instruction in photovoltaic, small wind energy, weatherization, and green construction in various existing programs on the campus. ASC has integrated this technology in the programs on the Applied Technology campus to enhance its students’ ability to become part of the green collar workforce.

The college’s philosophy, which permeates both campuses, is to build upon the technical expertise in a program with the appropriate skills needed for the green careers of the future. Alfred State now also offers green home laboratory project is being built to the National Association of Home Builders standards and will be a showcase home that will be monitored for energy use and the renewable systems in the home that include geothermal, photovoltaic, solar thermal, and small wind energy.

The expertise developed through these programs has also allowed New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) to expand clean energy training throughout the state. Clark gave similar presentations in Albany at the SUNY Business & Education Leadership Cooperative on Developing Renewable Energy and Green Careers at the Career Pathways conference in Buffalo. 

Clark has been associated with Alfred State College since 1979, serving in a variety of teaching and administrative capacities, including professor and department chair, Civil Engineering Technology, as well as dean of the School of Applied Technology and executive director of the Wellsville campus. He is the PI (principal investigator) on the above- referenced grants.

Clark holds a master of science degree in civil engineering with a major in construction engineering and management from North Carolina State University, a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the University of Colorado, and an associate of science degree in engineering science from Jamestown Community College.  Clark also serves as the mayor of the Village of Alfred.