MMS receives education pioneer award

The U.S. Minerals Management Service has received an education pioneer award for the agency’s contributions towards educating the public on alternative ocean energy sources, technologies and environmental considerations. The Ocean Energy Council and Ocean News and Technology Magazine sponsored the award, which was presented to MMS during the EnergyOcean 2007 Conference in Oahu, Hawaii.

Pioneer awards from the EnergyOcean Conference recognize individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to international promotion, education in or implementation of ocean energy.

MMS says that it uses conference speaking engagements and exhibits; regional workshops; and local community events throughout the United States to share information about the agency’s ocean energy responsibilities, and about issues pertaining to energy on the Outer Continental Shelf. The agency’s alternative energy Web site also provides a wealth of ocean-energy information. The agency also has an information center about its OCS Alternative Energy and Alternative Use Programmatic Environmental Information Statement at http://ocsenergy.anl.gov. The agency’s education resources include a booklet titled Ocean Energy that the agency originally produced for teachers and students. Available at www.mms.gov/mmskids, the booklet has been featured at education conferences and events throughout the United States, as well as being included in the National Energy Education Development Project’s national K-12 education program, the agency said.

—Alan Bailey