During a recent talk hosted by Carnegie Mellon University's Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Education and Research, the first question Gov. Ed Rendell asked was this: "Why is it bad news that gasoline prices have fallen after having skyrocketed as a result of Hurricane Katrina?"

A student responded by saying that unless economically "squeezed," consumers will not be conservative about their energy usage. Mr. Rendell acknowledged the correct response, then prefaced his further remarks by saying that energy is the single technological issue that is most critical to the economic, environmental and security future of our nation.

"America's energy past is grounded right here in Pennsylvania ... and the country's energy future is here, too."

Speaking from an academic perspective, we agree.

Our energy future and the reduction of our dependence on foreign sources of petroleum are dependent upon the adoption of a diverse energy portfolio. Fossil fuels will still be used and there will always be a competition among alternative sources, but we must push for the adoption of renewable sources.

In Pennsylvania, we have the economic motivation: We import energy fuels at a rate of $30 billion per year. Investment in the development of homegrown sources of energy, such as solar power, wind power and biofuels, and in methods and technologies to promote energy efficiency, will spawn new businesses, create new employment and keep the money in the commonwealth.

In southwestern Pennsylvania, we have the environmental motivation: Despite our many improvements, we still suffer with poor air quality in some locations, partly because of our fuel usage.

In Pittsburgh, we have the intellectual resources to begin to effect the necessary changes and the commitment to practice that can set the example for others to follow.

Researchers are looking at ways to utilize the state's coal reserves in an environmentally friendly way. We are evaluating the life cycle costs and benefits of alternative fuels for vehicles, such as cellulosic ethanol (made from switchgrass, a tall prairie grass that can grow on land of poor quality which is not reserved for agriculture) and are working to find next-generation turbine technology.

At Carnegie Mellon, we are setting the bar for other institutions in making environmentally wise decisions. For instance, Carnegie Mellon became the largest retail purchaser of wind power in the country in 2001. Since that time, more than 40 colleges and universities in Pennsylvania have followed our lead and purchased wind power to meet some of their energy needs.

On our campus, we run alternative fuel vehicles when they meet the demands of our fleet and live by an understanding that all new construction should be energy efficient and environmentally friendly -- throughout the expected life span of the building. Early next year, we will install a solar house as the new home of the Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Education and Research. Our new environmental clubhouse will demonstrate that solar power can work in Pennsylvania.

So if the motivation and resources exist, why are we not further along in adopting alternative energy portfolios?

Two primary reasons: public awareness and political will.

The public will pay attention to energy issues while prices at the pump are high, but will become ambivalent when prices fall. We need to keep the pressure on and keep reminding ourselves that energy is the single most critical issue that faces the nation. We need the public to understand that their individual behaviors have a collective consequence -- both in terms of their energy consumption and the pressure that they can bring to bear on decision makers.

We need the public to support initiatives and incentives that encourage the development and adoption of alternative sources of energy -- and we need the media to pay attention as well. Mr. Rendell's enthusiastic remarks on energy policy while at Carnegie Mellon, and in a speech last week to members of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., have been overshadowed in press accounts by the revoking of the legislative pay raise and a potential transit strike.

Although the consequences of energy policy are longer term, they are still very critical and require immediate attention and the media can help to make that happen.

Because implications are global, from global warming to international security, we need policy support and attention at the highest levels. We need to educate and influence legislators to support measures that invite additional investment in the science and research that leads to the development and vetting of new technologies including their economic, environmental and geopolitical consequences. We need incentives that help to reshape consumer consumption behavior and encourage entrepreneurial leadership.

At Carnegie Mellon, we are poised to help with a focused research agenda and a commitment to education, which are keys to progress. We look forward to the opportunity to work more closely with our regional partners in creating change.

All of the issues will not be resolved here but we can be a catalyst and begin to set the measure so that others might follow the lead. Regardless of one's political affiliation, it is tough to argue with the governor's message -- energy has to become a national priority.