How It All Began SERC was established in 1989, thanks to a generous endowment from Dr. Louis W. Schatz , president of General Plastics Manufacturing Company of Tacoma, Washington. As scientists and engineers, we are dedicated to our research. As teachers we are passionate about educating people of all ages about the exciting potential of the hydrogen economy. Affiliated with Humboldt State University's Environmental Resources Engineering program, SERC provides a rare opportunity for undergraduate and graduate engineering students to acquire hands-on experience in cutting edge energy technology. We Americans are accustomed to low priced and abundant energy supplies.
Gasoline is nearly as cheap, in real terms, as it has ever been.
This situation has led us to be profligate in our energy use and careless about our energy future. Dirty urban air, forests dying of acid rain, and a dependence on oil from politically unstable foreign countries are only a few of the many consequences of our energy pollicies and choices. Here at the Schatz Energy Research Center, we know there is. Just as our ancestors changed the way they obtained food, we must change the way we get energy, evolving from the energy hunter gatherers we are now to the energy farmers we must become. It means developing the technology to utilize these sources so that renewable energy becomes reliable and affordable.