GE to give Penn State $10M for gas drilling center

General Electric Co. says it will give Penn State University up to $10 million to create a new center for natural gas industry research.

Penn State President Eric Barron says in a Wednesday morning statement that the center will produce tangible benefits to the industry, to communities that are affected by drilling or related activity, and to consumers.

GE says the money will support research projects, equipment, and student fellowships at The Center for Collaborative Research on Intelligent Natural Gas Supply Systems. Barron plans to speak about the center during a luncheon with GE Senior Vice President Mark Little. GE is based in Fairfield, Connecticut.

The new center will include faculty from the Smeal College of Business, Earth and Mineral Sciences, Engineering, and Information Sciences and Technology.

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