A University environmental science professor has come under fire recently from environmentalists and ethicists after reports surfaced that the professor, who is skeptical of the extent to which humans play a role in global warming, had received money from a coal-burning utility.
The New York Times reported in a July 28 story that the Intermountain Rural Electric Association, a coal-burning utility co-operative, gave money to Environmental Science Prof. and Virginia State Climatologist Patrick Michaels' consulting firm called New Hope Environmental Services, Inc. The article called into question Michaels' position as one of the few remaining scientists who downplayed the role of human activity in the advent of global warming.
Michaels was unavailable for comment at press time.
Intermountain general manager Stanley Lewandowski said he wanted to support Michaels' work and possibly commission him to write a white paper for the company.
In a memo sent out to electrical co-operative members on July 17, Lewandowski wrote "we decided to support Dr. Patrick Michaels and his group (New Hope Environmental Services, Inc). Dr. Michaels has been supported by electric co-operatives in the past and also receives financial support from other sources."
Such arrangements cause some environmentalists to cry foul. Frank O'Donnell, president of the Clean Air Trust, said while he does not have the background to judge Michaels' research scientifically, he is wary of the potential bias.
"It's little wonder that a dirty electric power company would want to keep him in business since they have few other supporters," O'Donnell said. "The research should come with a warming label when it comes out. The source of money should be known."
Lewandowski, however, expressed his concern that some research is perceived as being unfairly tainted because it is funded through industry sponsorship.
"Where do we come about that somehow money that comes from the environmental groups is somehow sacred money and that's okay to support climatological research; and other money is not okay for that?" he said. "That's not the American way."
According to Environmental Science department chair Joseph Zieman, Michaels has published material in peer-review journals that has generally taken a "middle-of-the-road" view on global warming.
"It's the stuff that is frequently done with the consulting company that downplays the influence of global warming," Zieman said.
University faculty are permitted to work as consultants 52 days out of the year, according to Zieman.
David Hudson, associate vice president for research and graduate studies, said the University actually encourages faculty members to work as consultants if their consulting work will improve their work at the University.
"The University recognizes that work outside the institution broadens the experience base," he said. "It helps bring things back and builds bridges to the outside world."
Zieman noted that it is "reasonably common" for professors within his department to engage in consulting work.
According to Vice Provost Milton Adams, there have been few problems with faculty members engaging in consulting work in the three years he has been at the provost's office.
"Usually faculty members are aware enough and will ask to be sure that what they're doing is ethical and within their responsibility," he said.
Hudson said there can be situations where a faculty member's consulting activities could be seen as a conflict of interest with his research.
"In areas where there appears to be a conflict it is important that proper disclosures have been made to dispel the discomfort," he said. "Disclosure is at least a first step to providing information for one's readers to judge bias, if any."
Hudson went on to add that he does not think that Michaels has done anything wrong, but he has not looked at the issue very closely. He said he does believe that Michaels' consulting work falls under the category of consulting work supported by the University.
"[His work is] in the area of global climate change so that
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