Aug. 12 is deadline to apply for expenses-paid seminar on energy issues at Ohio State in Sept.

Journalists reporting on energy costs, trends in the global energy market, the cap-and-trade system in the climate-change bill, and the impacts on their communities, are invited to apply for the expenses-paid McCormick Specialized Reporting Institute on Energy Solutions Sept. 20-22 at The Ohio State University in Columbus.

The conference is designed to provide a small group of journalists with direct access to national leaders and the time to delve deeper into energy research and policy analysis. Confirmed speakers include Dr. Steven Koonin, newly appointed energy undersecretary for science; Richard Sandor, founder of the Chicago Climate Exchange; and Don McConnell, president of energy technology at Battelle Laboratories, the world's largest nonprofit research and development organization.

The conference will be hosted by the Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Journalism, the John Glenn School of Public Affairs, Battelle, and Ohio State's Institute for Energy and the Environment. Funding from the McCormick Foundation will provide meals, lodging and a travel stipend for journalists selected to attend. To apply, go to www.KiplingerProgram.org and fill out the online application by Aug. 12. For additional information, contact Jessica Barnes at 614-247-8796.