A newly created renewable energy center at IUPUI has been named after Indiana Senator Richard Lugar.

In a press release, IUPUI Chancellor Charles R. Bantz said the campus wanted to name the center for Indiana’s senior United States Senator because of Lugar’s steadfast leadership on renewable energy issues.

“Developments at the federal level underscore the growing awareness that renewable energy will play a leading role in ensuring U.S. energy independence,” Bantz said. “The creation of the Richard G. Lugar Renewable Energy Center is a direct response to that recognition. Senator Lugar’s strong support for renewable energy research has had an immeasurable influence on our nation’s collective thinking about the need for energy security.”

During dedication ceremonies on Monday, Senator Lugar had some strong words for critics of ethanol, according to Indiana’s Hoosier Ag Today radio network.

“Eighty percent of the world’s oil supply is controlled by governments. Oil companies and the forces of supply and demand do not determine the price of oil.” He said this situation poses a security threat for the United States, “We need to understand that we are talking about the ability of our country to continue on in the lifestyle to which we are accustomed.”