Editorial: AERTC deserves excellence stamp
The Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center at Stony Brook University, where solar panels are built into the facade of the building. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Together with Brookhaven National Laboratory, Stony Brook University's Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center is on the way to being a leader in battery technology. But it could use a boost: Designation as one of the state's centers of excellence could help it get more national recognition and grants.
Stony Brook has one center of excellence, in wireless and information technology. A second would be a feather in the university's cap.
Last year, Sen. Kenneth LaValle (R-Port Jefferson), got the designation bill through the Senate, but a bill sponsored by Assemb. Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) didn't get through the Assembly. Now, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has put the designation in his budget amendments -- with no money. That's a good first step. Both houses should leave it in; we hope the money will come later.
