Printer-friendlyEnvironment DEC
From the September 2007 issue
DEC and Partners Announce Successful Green Engineering Internship Program
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) working together with Clarkson University and NXP Semiconductors, an independent semiconductor company founded by Philips, announced that DEC's new Green Engineering Internship Program saved NXP nearly $200,000 by using green technologies. Through the program, Clarkson University graduate and doctoral interns, in coordination with faculty staff, work with businesses to implement green engineering strategies and to educate staff on pollution-prevention opportunities.
Student interns gain valuable academic and practical experience by applying classroom lessons in a professional setting
"This unique program, led by DEC's Pollution Prevention Unit, uses new engineering technologies in conjunction with academic innovation to demonstrate the advantages of incorporating clean technologies into the manufacturing process," said DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis. "By focusing on more efficient manufacturing techniques, the Green Engineering Internship Program is a win-win for companies, as they are provided the expertise needed to reduce energy consumption and costs."
Grannis also noted there is tremendous opportunity for new businesses to participate in the program and yield similar benefits. The program specifically targets environmental improvement opportunities, such as reductions in toxics, water use and energy consumption, at the beginning of the manufacturing process as opposed to costly waste cleanup at the end. Interns research, develop and design sustainable solutions to environmental problems adversely affecting a business's profits. As a result, companies invest less financial and energy resources into production, generate less waste by-product and employ a more efficient system.
Intern Experience and Employment
In addition to the economic and environmental benefits of the program, student interns gain valuable academic and practical experience by applying classroom lessons in a professional setting. At the conclusion of the internship, businesses evaluate the intern's skill set on the job and have the opportunity to consider the student for possible future employment.
DEC continues to identify interested companies for intern placement. In the next three years, it is anticipated that the program also will receive grant money from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to support intern placements. Businesses interested in participating in this program should contact DEC's Pollution Prevention Unit at 518-402-9469.
