At Texas Energy Independence Week professors from five leading Texas universities speak on renewable energy policy and technology research in the first of two forums at the Texas State Capitol Building. At the second forum corporate and governmental leaders discuss the relationship of natural gas and renewables and make a case for a robust role for renewable energy in Texas' energy mix.

Texas Energy Independence Week, declared biannually by Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA), continues a long tradition for recognizing the vast renewable energy resources in Texas.  Celebrated only one week prior to Texas Independence Day, Texas Energy Independence Week gives Texans the opportunity to play a role in Texas’ energy future. TREIA represents over 600 member companies, organizations, agencies and individuals providing products, services and information within Texas's growing renewable energy sector. Founded in 1984, TREIA is a key trade and advocacy organization headquartered in Austin, Texas.  

 

Texas Energy Independence Week events take place at or in locations near the Texas State Capitol Building.  During the week exhibits will be on display in the Capitol North Gallery.  Also open to the public at no charge two forums take place on Wednesday, February 23 in the Capitol Auditorium.

 

Forum I: 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Texas universities speaking on Renewable Energy Policy and Technology Research include:

  • John Butler, Professor, University of Texas at Austin and Wei-Jen Lee, Professor, University of Texas at Arlington will be speaking about the Smart Grid.
  • Robert Balog, Professor, Texas A&M University speaks on Solar PV.
  • Andrew Swift, Professor, Texas Tech University discusses Storage for Wind Power.
  • Les Shephard, Professor, University of Texas at San Antonio will cover Geothermal Energy.
  • Michael Webber, Professor, University of Texas at Austin will talk about the role of public education, research and development and integration of technologies in maintaining the leading role of Texas in the world of energy.

 

Forum II: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.  Consists of two sections

Panel 1) Renewables and Natural Gas, Confluence or Conflict or Something In Between? (2 - 3:30 p.m.)

Moderator: Michael J. Osborne, Special Asst. to the Manager, Austin Energy.

Panelists: 

  • Todd Foley, Sr. V.P. of Policy and Government Relations, American Council on Renewable Energy, Wash. D.C. 
  • Tommy Foltz, Director, Government Relations, Peterohawk Energy Corporation, Houston, TX 
  • Kevin Gresham, V.P., Regulatory Affairs and Transmission, E.ON Climate & Renewables North America, Inc., Austin, TX 
  • John Lichtenberger, Director of Utility Sales – Midwest, SunEdison, Beltsville, MD 

 

Panel 2) The Business Case for a Robust Role for Renewable Energy in Texas’ Energy Mix. (3:45 - 5:00 p.m.)

Moderator: Colin Meehan, Environmental Defense Fund

Panelists:

  • Cathy Boone, Senior Director, Energy Policy and Market Development, Applied Materials, Inc.
  • Charles Dauber, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Electric Technologies, Inc.
  • Colin Murchie, Director, Federal Government Affairs, SolarCity

 

TREIA www.treia.org is the oldest renewable energy non-profit trade organization in Texas whose work promoting development of renewable resources and their wise use has spanned a quarter of a century.

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