About CRES

The Center for Rural Energy Security was created to fill a gap in the national energy policy research landscape. While there are several think tanks and research institutes across the United States conducting research on energy policy, many have specific policy agendas—often intended to support energy transition and climate-oriented goals—and none focus specifically on rural economies. CRES is the first University-affiliated energy policy research institute in the U.S. to bring a holistic, non-partisan, objective approach to energy policy research that includes a specific mission to address the implications of energy policy and technology innovation for rural communities, agriculture, and rural economic development. CRES brings together a multidisciplinary group of social science researchers to work collaboratively on a range of energy-related policy issues and their potential effects on rural economies and rural communities.

In addition to engaging in leading scholarly research, CRES bridges the gaps between traditional academic publications, policy-oriented whitepapers, and objective, science-based policy analysis projects for industry and policymakers. It serves as a connecting point between academic researchers, legislators, and industry to facilitate access to data and resources to bolster academic scholarship, policy relevance, and ultimately more effective energy policy for rural Missouri, the Midwest, and rural America.