2025
October
Samaras discusses electricity crisis
“Why is this happening?” podcast
Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras was recently featured discussing the electricity crisis in the US on Chris Hayes’ podcast “Why is this happening?”
Rounce receives early career award
The American Geophysical Union
CEE’s David Rounce has been selected by the American Geophysical Union as a recipient of the 2025 Cryosphere Early Career Award, which recognizes early career contributions to Cryospheric Sciences and Technology.
Congratulations to College of Engineering Andy Award recipients
Carnegie Mellon University
Congratulations to two College of Engineering staff members who were recognized for their meaningful contributions at Carnegie Mellon’s 31st annual Andy Awards ceremony on October 1, 2025. Brian Belowich, facilities co-director and senior project engineer for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, was recognized for his Commitment to Students. Kaycee Palko, academic advisor for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, was recognized with the Spirit award.
September
Hendrickson receives award from Transportation Research Board
Transportation Research Board
CEE’s Chris Hendrickson has been awarded the Transportation Research Board’s Roy W. Crum Award for 2025, which honors him for fifty years of leadership in the field of transportation research. His prolific work has been influential in transforming practice and policy in the field, and he is also well-respected for his leadership and mentorship.
August
Samaras interviewed on rising energy costs
KQED
Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras was interviewed by KQED about reasons why energy bills have been increasing, and the consequences of recent legislation on renewable tax incentives. “This bill raises taxes on wind and solar power,” Samaras said. “It makes the types of power plants that have been the easiest to connect to the grid—namely solar—harder to connect, more expensive, and ultimately, that’s gonna flow down into consumers’ pockets.”
Samaras breaks down ways to upgrade electrical infrastructure in response to greater heat
Forbes
Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras was interviewed by Forbes on the changes our electrical infrastructure must undergo to keep up with a rapidly changing climate. “It’s virtually certain that it’s going to be hotter. So we should be planning for our social systems, our health system, our infrastructure systems, our energy systems to be able to withstand more intense and prolonged heatwaves. These are things that we might not think about, the way that it affects our electricity grid or our water system or our transportation system or even our rail system. More intense heat stresses our systems in ways that they weren't designed for,” Samaras said. “What’s clear is climate change is causing damage right now, and the more emissions we generate, the worse it’s going to be in the future. So it’s on us to get the world’s emissions to zero as fast as possible, while also building infrastructure, human and social systems, to be able to withstand the types of climate impacts that we see now and are going to see in the future.”
July
Nock quoted on data centers’ impact on the power grid
WESA
CEE/EPP’s Destenie Nock was quoted by WESA about how the potential influx of data centers in Pennsylvania could lead to higher electricity costs for users. New data centers could also impede goals of reducing harmful emissions if more energy is needed to power these centers, Nock said. “Because the rule is supply must always equal demand, if you need one megawatt to supply these data centers at night and solar is not on at night, then you will keep the oil power plant, you’ll keep the coal power plant,” Nock said.
May
Nock receives alumni award
University of Massachusetts Amherst
CEE/EPP’s Destenie Nock received an Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, her alma mater, in recognition of her career in academia and as a startup founder.
Akinci recognized as ASCE Distinguished Member
ASCE Civil Engineering Source
CEE Head Burcu Akinci has been elected by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) as one of its distinguished members for her work in construction information and computing systems. She was chosen for the valuable information her research provides the field, as well as for her participation in the industry and in rigorous academic and mentorship involvements.
April
Samaras shares excitement for upcoming World Innovation Summit
Future Travel Experience
Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras was quoted in Future Travel Experience on CMU’s contributions to clean energy in the air transport sector ahead of the FTE World Innovation Summit, which will be hosted in Pittsburgh in May. “Pittsburgh International Airport has been a global leader in energy innovation and resilience. We’re proud to collaborate to help translate the latest research into practice for sustainable aviation fuel technology pathways, energy resilience, and more,” Samaras says.
March
Tkacik and Samaras quoted on CMU Energy Week
Blue Sky News
The Scott Institute’s Daniel Tkacik and Costa Samaras were quoted in Blue Sky News about CMU Energy Week, which takes place from March 25-27. “Energy Week was started to provide a time and a place for universities, for all the industry in the area, and all the government and nonprofit and NGOs to get together and coalesce around a single energy challenge that we face today,” said Tkacik.
Nock highlights energy assistance program
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
CEE/EPP’s Destenie Nock published a story in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review about Peoples Energy Analytics, an organization that helps connect people with assistance programs to cover home energy costs. “By analyzing energy usage patterns, billing trends, and temperature fluctuations, we partner with utility companies to identify struggling households and connect them with help,” said Nock.
Samaras quoted on carbon dioxide emissions
Politico
CEE’s Costa Samaras spoke to Politico about why carbon dioxide emissions are increasing, despite renewable power sources surpassing coal in 2024. Gas generation is growing due to increased electricity demands for data centers and offsets the reduced emissions from coal. “If all we do is build more natural gas, our emissions are not going to go down. They might stay flat as they did last year,” explained Samaras. “Sooner or later, we’re going to run out of coal to displace.”
February
Harper quoted on EV charger spending freeze
Politico
CEE’s Corey Harper was quoted in Politico, Axios, and government technology about the Trump administration’s spending freeze on EV chargers. “We already have big gaps in coverage in a lot of states, especially the rural states,” explained Harper. “If this funding doesn’t go through or gets slowed down then the driving experience for a lot of Americans that have EVs or want to purchase EVs is going to be vastly different.”
January
Nock quoted on utility assistance pilot program
WESA
CEE/EPP’s Destenie Nock was quoted by WESA about how Peoples Energy Analytics and Peoples Natural Gas use data algorithms to identify households eligible for utility assistance programs. “A lot of times, when people don’t sign up for these programs, it’s because they’re not aware that they even qualify. And also they’re not aware of the full benefit that they may receive from these programs,” said Nock.
2024
December
Fakhreddine named rising star in engineering and science
American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists
CEE’s Sarah Fakhreddine was named one of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists 40 under 40 Rising Stars in Engineering and Science. Fakhreddine’s research focuses on solving water quality and quantity issues.
Nock named a 2024 Science Defender
Union of Concerned Scientists
CEE/EPP’s Destenie Nock was named a 2024 Science Defender by the Union of Concerned Scientists. The title is bestowed annually on “individuals and groups who use science to improve the world and help people, including those who have taken a stand to protect science and scientists from political or other interference.” Nock was selected for her ongoing work in affordable energy and energy justice as both a researcher and a startup founder.
Samaras quoted on Washington State’s Climate Commitment Act
NPR
Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras spoke to NPR about Washington State’s Climate Commitment Act. “A law like Washington State’s law gives a model, gives results, and gives quantifiable benefits to say to other states and other institutions that are thinking about this that it both works and that voters approve of it,” said Samaras.
November
Qian quoted on New York congestion pricing
Smart Cities Dive
CEE’s Sean Qian was quoted in Smart Cities Dive about how New York City congestion pricing could disproportionately affect different groups based on their access to public transportation. “Certain groups will feel the impact of [congestion pricing] more than others, raising considerable equity concerns,” said Qian. “It may be worthwhile to explore ways to equitably allocate [congestion pricing] revenue to support various communities,” he said.
Tang quoted on how AI can improve flight schedules
Fast Company
CEE’s Pingbo Tang was quoted in Fast Company about Odysee, a new AI tool used to optimize efficiency and revenue when creating flight schedules. “This is a very reasonable solution for Alaska Airlines,” said Tang.
October
Samaras quoted on nuclear energy
floodlight
Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras was quoted by floodlight about increased interest in nuclear energy as domestic electricity needs increase. “There’s never been more activity and excitement for advanced nuclear in the United States,” Samaras says.
Samaras quoted on how electric vehicles can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions
The Public's Radio
Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras spoke on The Public’s Radio about the importance of transitioning to electric vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “The transportation sector, how we move around, how we get our things delivered, is the largest portion of US greenhouse gas emissions right now,” Samaras explained.
Samaras quoted on greenhouse gas emissions
Scientific American
Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras spoke to Scientific American about how Kamala Harris’ proposed policy to incentivize building affordable housing could reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “There’s a lot of the greenhouse gas emissions in the economy that are wrapped up in where people live,” Samaras says.
Samaras presents on the future of clean energy
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras visited the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to engage on questions about new energy technologies and the decarbonization of industry in the United States in a session called Leaping Ahead: U.S. Innovation and the Future of Clean Energy.
Samaras discusses drone deliveries
NBC News
Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras spoke with NBC News about the advancement in drone delivery technology. “I think after what has been about a decade of a slow start, drone delivery seems to be accelerating both in its technological capabilities as well as the policy and regulatory environment in the United States,” Samaras says.
Samaras quoted on nuclear power
Yahoo! News
Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras was quoted by Yahoo! News about nuclear power being a source of electricity for the U.S. “There’s never been more activity and excitement for advanced nuclear in the United States,” Samaras explains.
Samaras and Chester quoted climate change challenging public infrastructure limits
ASCE Civil Engineering Source
CEE’s Costa Samaras, along with CEE undergraduate alumnus Mikhail Chester, were quoted in an article by the American Society of Civil Engineers on the effects of rising temperatures on civil infrastructure. Engineers will have to determine how to strengthen current infrastructure, such as road networks, electricity systems, coastal levees, and more, to deal with environmental systems they were not originally designed to withstand, or else determine if compensating those affected would be more worth it than undertaking massive projects. Regardless, engineers must act as conditions worsen even in cooler locations. “You start adding all of this up, and you’re losing 5%-10% or more of the amount of electricity you thought you were going to have – all on a day when people need it to be safe from extreme heat,” Samaras said.