Kansas Geological Survey Receives Donation From Nextera Energy Resources for Continued Research

Jul 04, 2025

The Kansas Geological Survey has received a $10,000 donation from NextEra Energy Resources, one of America’s largest energy infrastructure developers, earmarked for the development of an experimental solar array in southwest Kansas.

This donation represents a key component of NextEra Energy Resources’ commitment to environmental stewardship. In addition to NextEra Energy Resources, KGS has partnered with farmers, local electrical utilities and others to co-develop a system to generate power, benefit farmers and extend the life of the aquifer in the region.

“Groundwater is essential to the future of agriculture and communities across Kansas,” said Sam Zipper, assistant scientist at KGS and assistant professor in the KU Department of Geology.

Source : ku.edu

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.