Press Release of Senator Lugar Lugar Names President of Morton Energy as Energy Patriot Monday, January 12, 2009 U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar has named Brad Morton, president of Morton Energy, a Lugar Energy Patriot.   “We name Lugar Energy Patriots as a way to recognize outstanding Hoosiers who have demonstrated leadership and initiative in taking concrete action to improve America’s energy security. I am pleased to recognize Brad Morton of Morton Energy for his efforts to increase solar energy usage in Indiana,” said Lugar.   Morton is president of Morton Energy, an Evansville-based company that installs alternative energy systems around southwestern Indiana. Morton, a native Hoosier, founded Morton Energy in 2006. Armed with a degree from University of Southern Indiana and experience with electrical engineering, Morton went to work with something he found both interesting and needed in the field: energy engineering.   “I knew I wanted to go into some sort of engineering field,” said Morton.  “Electrical engineering advances technology and improves our efficiencies as a society. Solar systems and the amount of power they can produce amaze me.”    The Energy Patriot award is part of an ongoing effort by Lugar to recognize professionals, scholars, students or businesses that demonstrate leadership and initiative in taking concrete action to reduce America’s dependence on foreign energy sources.    An editorial profile of Brad Morton is below and may be published in its entirety. Additional information is available at: http://www.lugar.senate.gov/energy/links/patriot/.   For more than a decade, Lugar has stressed the strategic importance of energy security and the economic and security risks of dependence on oil. His legislative efforts promote sustainable energy production and use, incentives for renewable fuels like cellulosic ethanol and E85, increased fuel economy in cars and clean coal. The Lugar Energy Initiative at http://lugar.senate.gov/energy highlights the repercussions of America's dangerous dependence on imported oil and provides information on energy legislation introduced by Lugar, commentary by outside experts and information on alternative and renewable energy sources.    Profile of a Patriot   Through the Energy Patriot, Senator Lugar profiles a student, professional, scholar, or business that has demonstrated leadership and initiative in taking concrete action to improve America's energy security.   Brad Morton’s business revolves around helping people make some green – greenenergy, that is.   Morton is president of Morton Energy, an Evansville-based company that installs alternative energy systems around southwestern Indiana. Morton, a native Hoosier, founded Morton Energy in 2006. Armed with a degree from University of Southern Indiana and experience with electrical engineering, Morton went to work with something he found both interesting and needed in the field: energy engineering.   “I knew I wanted to go into some sort of engineering field,” said Morton.  “Electrical engineering advances technology and improves our efficiencies as a society. Solar systems and the amount of power they can produce amaze me.”    Morton has turned his intellectual curiosity and concern for energy savings into a growing business. Morton reports that his company has installed eight solar-powered systems as well as five wind systems within a 200-mile radius of Evansville. Morton Energy is currently working on a project at a library that will provide 100 percent of the energy it needs to function.  “We have been working with them from the beginning of the project,” said Morton.  “We are very excited to be involved in such a large project with solar energy.”   Morton, who uses a solar-powered trailer to power most of the appliances in his home, says that Indiana needs more solar-powered systems. Morton spends much of his time explaining to Hoosiers that alternative energy can work for them.   A recent report from the U.S. Department of Energy showcases the potential for solar energy as an alternative energy source. The report states that every hour, more energy from sunlight strikes the Earth than is consumed on the planet in a year. Yet today solar electricity provides approximately one thousandth of the total electricity supply.   The report notes that a “huge gap between our present use of solar energy and its enormous undeveloped potential defines a grand challenge in energy research” and that "sunlight is a compelling solution to our need for clean, abundant sources of energy in the future." (Renewable Energy World, 2005).   “Solar power is still a pretty tough sell in Indiana,” Morton said. “Of course coal is king here but to continue to rely solely on coal does not work for economic and environmental reasons. Utilizing more solar and wind energy will provide jobs and boost Indiana’s economy.”   Solar panel systems installed by Morton can cover up to 50 percent or 60 percent of an electric bill.  The largest systems are capable of powering entire homes or buildings. “Hoosiers are seeing the cost of energy go up and receive little incentive to include alternative energy to their lifestyle.”    “My greatest personal reward,” Morton says, “is the satisfaction of my customers at the end of each project.”   Morton is hopeful this level of satisfaction will create a greater desire for solar energy in Indiana.   “We get a lot of positive feedback from people,” Morton said.  “I think the more work we complete the more Hoosiers will value an alternative energy lifestyle.”   “I believe our future will take a balanced combination of energy sources including solar, wind, natural gas, and coal,” he said. “It will be hard work but work I know Hoosiers can accomplish.”   Senator Lugar agrees. That is why we congratulate Brad Morton on being a Lugar Energy Patriot.   ###