Energy Crossroads

In this episode of Energy Crossroads, we are joined by Michael Jewell, the Managing Attorney of Jewell and Associates.  Michael is a government affairs professional with more than 30 years of experience in and with Texas Government. He helps national and international corporations and organizations shape public policy positions with state legislators, key executive officials, and state regulatory agencies, including testifying before state legislative committees. We discuss a subject that is still a ‘hot’ topic for many Texans: the Great Texas Black Out (aka Winter Storm Uri), that drastically impacted the state in February 2021.  What have we learned about what actually happened, what caused the problems with the power grid, and how can prepare for an event like this if it were to happen again? We also explore the concept of ‘energy burden’ as it relates to low-income communities, and the steps being taken to deliver affordable power to the people who need it the most. Subscribe to Energy Crossroads wherever you consume your podcasts.  We want to hear from you.  Visit HARCresearch.org or energyhub.HARCresearch.org to learn more about what we are up to. Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads!

In this episode of Energy Crossroads we are joined by Scott McCready, PLA, a Principal at SWA Group, a long-standing, employee-owned collective of eight independent design studios. Scott’s work is dedicated to the enhancement the social and ecological infrastructure of the urban environment, while broadening access and connectivity to open space within the city. His recent work has focused on urban parks, urban infill, and large-scale campus planning and design. Scott was once quoted saying, “Design can be a tool to elevate social interaction within the public realm, as well as a medium to reconnect people with nature. By synthesizing place-making and infrastructure needs, we can create environments that enrich, educate, and endure.” Listen as Scott shares his broad expertise related to the better utilization of land and resources to create more value for communities, both in public and private sectors.Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads!

In this episode of Energy Crossroads we are joined by Rod Turner, Facilities Manager for Houston Endowment. Responsible for overseeing the daily performance of the Houston Endowment’s headquarters facility, Rod is not just thinking about building operations, maintenance, safety, and upkeep – he is focused on people, resilience, legacy, and the systems that hold it all together. A veteran of both the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force his dedication to service shines through his career and interactions with others. Thank you, Rod, for your service!Listen as Rod discusses the importance of mission-driven philanthropic organizations showcasing their leadership in environmental stewardship, alongside community engagement. He shares details about the Houston Endowment’s holistic approach to sustainability from building systems including solar and geothermal, to native plants, to composting food waste, to the importance of employee engagement. Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads!

In this episode of Energy Crossroads we are joined by Nicole Alderete-Ferrini, CEO of Parade on Main, a next-generation strategy, advocacy and policy firm reimagining how public institutions build smarter, more resilient communities. As the first Chief Resilience Officer for the City of El Paso and a former city executive, she brings two decades of experience in sustainable development, crisis leadership, and systems innovation.It's the time of the year when many coastal communities are preparing hurricane season, and the subject of resilience is top of mind. Listen as Nicole discusses how integrated sustainable strategies are helping communities evolve from crisis response mode to long term readiness. According to Nicole, resilience is not just about bouncing back, it is about building forward. Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads!

In this episode of Energy Crossroads we are joined by Patrice ‘Pete’ Parsons the Executive Director Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES), where she is committed to fulfilling the organization's mission to educate and inspire every Texan to adopt solar energy as part of a clean energy future. Listen as Pete discusses the benefits of solar, policy opportunities to increase solar adoption, and the continued need for education about this renewable energy source. She also shares details about her exciting career journey in sustainability…a reminder to those pursuing this field, that the career trajectory is not always a straight line.Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads! 

In this episode of Energy Crossroads we are joined by Felisa Conner, President & CEO of Frazier Revitalization, an organization focused on addressing affordable housing renovation and development, family and youth programming, and resident empowerment.Listen as Felisa illustrates how energy efficiency can improve the quality life and help to create generational wealth, and we discuss how previous practices have negatively impacted the ability of certain communities to achieve advancements in sustainability.Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads! 

In this episode of Energy Crossroads we are joined by Dr. Adele Houghton, President of Biositu, LLC, where she works at the intersection of buildings, public health, and climate. Healthcare facilities are critical infrastructure in our communities. During a disaster, it is important for all facets of the Emergency Management Cycle to operate at optimal levels. Listen as Dr. Houghton discusses the evolution of Climate Resilience for Healthcare Toolkits which help to ensure that hospitals and healthcare facilities can remain functional during disasters. For more information, check out this episode’s additional resources:Health Care | U.S. Climate Resilience ToolkitArchitectural Epidemiology_Architecture as a Mechanism for Designing a Healthier, More Sustainable, and Resilient World  Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads! 

Jonathan Kraatz, the Executive Director for the U.S. Green Building Council Texas Chapter, plays a crucial role in advancing sustainable building practices and promoting green initiatives across Texas with a focus on leadership and advocacy and industry engagement.      Listen as Jonathan discusses how green certifications are supporting efforts to build more resilient, sustainable buildings and cities.  We also discuss exciting sustainable construction and environmental stewardship  developments on the horizon, and actions each of us can take to start making more of this a reality. Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads!

In this episode of Energy Crossroads, we are joined by Nisha Desai, the Founder & CEO of Intention, a startup company creating a climate impact investment platform for retail investors. Nisha is also the managing partner of the Intention Climate Fund, a microfund investing in pre-seed and seed stage climate tech startups across the US.Listen as Nisha discusses her career journey in the clean energy space, and the upside and innovations related to climate impact investments. The information shared in this episode will excite passionate investors, and should spark interest in passive investors that are considering values-aligned investment strategies.Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads!

In this episode of Energy Crossroads, we are joined by Dr. Erick C. Jones Jr., an assistant professor in Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Jones investigates how organizations can allocate their limited resources to maximize desired outcomes sustainably, efficiently, and resiliently Dr. Jones leads the Sustainable and Equitable Allocation of Resources, or SEAR, Lab where he leads teams working on research surrounding energy, supply chains, transportation, climate change, and more Listen as Dr. Jones discusses the research being conducted by the SEAR Lab and shares his expertise on energy transition and resiliency, and considerations for equitable allocations to ensure that all communities can benefit.

Welcome to Energy Crossroads, where we talk Texas clean energy. We are on a mission to learn more about how clean energy impacts a wide variety of industries. We will explore conversations with industry leaders around clean energy trends and related technology, finance, the built environment, and policy opportunities impacting your organization. This podcast is powered by HARC, an independent, environmental research nonprofit that applies science to drive energy, air, water, and resilience solutions for a sustainable and equitable future. This series is underwritten by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office. In this episode, Amanda Tullos, founder of GreeNexus Consulting, discusses her mission to create sustainable, regenerative buildings. A licensed architect with numerous certifications, Amanda has overseen over 150 LEED-certified projects and 15 million square feet of sustainable spaces. She highlights the Living Building Challenge’s role in driving market transformation and shares solutions to real-world challenges in green building practices. You don’t want to miss this insightful conversation, tune in now. Subscribe to Energy Crossroads wherever you consume your podcasts. We want to hear from you. Visit HARCresearch.org or energyhub.HARCresearch.org to learn more about our efforts. Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads!

In this episode of Energy Crossroads, we are joined by Randy Plumlee, Energy Code Program Manager for the South-Central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource (SPEER), the newest regional energy efficiency organization which aims to accelerate the adoption of advanced building systems and energy efficient products and services in Texas and Oklahoma. He’s a native Texan but loves to travel and see new places. Give him a Paloma, a pool, and family and he’ll want for nothing more. (You have to love his bio!!!) Listen as Randy shares his expertise to provide an ‘energy codes 101’ for commercial and residential conservation. Following these codes are not just a check-the-box exercise, they serve as drivers to continue to advance energy conservation, resiliency, and sustainability. Subscribe to Energy Crossroads wherever you consume your podcasts.  We want to hear from you.  Visit HARCresearch.org or energyhub.HARCresearch.org to learn more about our efforts.   Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads!  

Welcome to Energy Crossroads, where we talk Texas clean energy.  This podcast is powered by HARC, an independent research hub analysis on energy, air, and water issues to people seeking scientific answers, and is underwritten by the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), and our sponsor, the Mitchell Foundation.  This special episode of Energy Crossroads, is a crossover with the podcast, ESG Decoded. In this conversation Marina Badoian-Kriticos and Emma Cox, Executive Vice President of Commercial at ClimeCo, break down key elements of a Just Transition and highlight public projects and corporate strategies that incorporate these elements. The role of federal initiatives like Justice40 in driving equitable climate investments How community engagement and transparency are vital for inclusive energy transitions Measurement frameworks for tracking progress towards a Just Transition Federally funded projects in Texas that are leading the way in integrating equity into clean energy initiatives Are you interested in additional insights about advancing social equity and environmental goals in the energy sector? Check out the following resources: Episode Resources:  ·      HARC Website: https://harcresearch.org/ ·       ESG Decoded Podcast: https://www.climeco.com/podcast-series/  

In this episode of Energy Crossroads, we are joined by Rives Taylor, FAIA, LEED Fellow, and Gensler’s Global Design Resilience Co-Leader & Principal. He is a recognized global expert in resilient, high-performance, and sustainable design and has been a faculty member of both Rice University and the University of Houston for 30 years. Rives has authored more than 150 articles for diverse publications like ULI’s Urban Land, WIRED, Fast Company, and Texas Architect and has been an invited speaker at symposiums on five continents. He founded the Houston Chapter of the USGBC and recently received the Center for Houston’s Future’s Impact Award. A member of the prestigious AIA Fellowship, Rives holds a B.A. in Architecture from Rice University and a Master's from MIT. Due to climate change, once in a generation weather events are now becoming regular occurrences. When extreme natural events happen, it is imperative for businesses and communities to be able to bounce back and function adequately. The emphasis of this episode is how we can build better and recover faster. Learn about engineering and infrastructure advancements that can better withstand extreme nature conditions and keep our businesses and households up and running. Subscribe to Energy Crossroads wherever you consume your podcasts.  We want to hear from you.  Visit HARCresearch.org or energyhub.HARCresearch.org to learn more about our efforts.   Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads!

In this episode of Energy Crossroads, we are joined by Dr. Margaret Cook, Deputy Director – Climate Equity and Resilience for HARC. In this role, she develops and manages HARC’s Climate Equity Initiative and supports community engagement and community benefits priorities within HARC projects. Dr. Cook is also passionate about community resilience and making science accessible to the public. Prior to working at HARC, Dr. Cook worked on improving water recycling in the oil and gas industry with the aim of reducing total fresh water use in water-scarce West Texas; and she has used her expertise working at the Texas Legislature, the U.S. Department of Energy, Apache Corporation, and Austin Energy.  Dr. Cook earned her Doctorate in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin Cockrell School of Engineering with a certificate in Engineering Education in 2018. She earned dual Masters degrees in Public Affairs and Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from UT-Austin. Funding from the federal government has galvanized many projects that improve energy infrastructure. Listen as we discuss clean energy projects with great potential to provide wide scale benefits for underserved communities, notably the High Velocity Hydrogen Hub and the Texas Solar Fuel Coalition. Subscribe to Energy Crossroads wherever you consume your podcasts.  We want to hear from you.  Visit HARCresearch.org or energyhub.HARCresearch.org to learn more about our efforts.   Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads!

In this episode of Energy Crossroads, we are joined by John Hall, President & CEO at HARC. John has had a very distinguished career working in public, private and nonprofit sectors, including serving as Chairman of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. He also held a variety of clean energy and climate equity leadership roles at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Governmental legislation and investments have created significant opportunities for the state of Texas to become more energy resilient, inclusive of meeting the needs of underserved communities. Listen as John shares his vast experience with social justice issues, and how he leverages that passion to guide HARC’s impact for the community. Subscribe to Energy Crossroads wherever you consume your podcasts.  We want to hear from you.  Visit HARCresearch.org or energyhub.HARCresearch.org to learn more about our efforts.   Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads!  

Welcome to Energy Crossroads, where we talk Texas clean energy.  This podcast is powered by HARC, an independent research hub analysis on energy, air, and water issues to people seeking scientific answers, and is underwritten by the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), and our new sponsor, the Mitchell Foundation.  In this episode of Energy Crossroads, we are joined by Jordan Fruge, a national leader in the renewable energy and solar industries and founder and President of Fastrac Energy Services, a residential solar installation provider. Leveraging Jordan’s expertise, we take a deep dive into the current state of residential solar, as the push to decarbonize reshapes energy markets. We explore solar financing options, trends in the Texas market, and how property owners can assess the choice that works best for them. We also unpack the dramatic changes in the energy markets and talk through the shift to distributed local energy. Subscribe to Energy Crossroads wherever you consume your podcasts.  We want to hear from you.  Visit HARCresearch.org or energyhub.HARCresearch.org to learn more about our efforts.   Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads!  

In this episode of Energy Crossroads, we are joined by Dana Harmon, the executive director of Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute (TEPRI).  Dana has spent over 15 years working in the energy and consumer products space, and TEPRI is dedicated to inspiring lasting energy solutions for low-income communities. Leveraging Dana’s expertise, we explore how affordable clean energy solutions can help bridge the green divide. In Texas, the impact of Winter Storm Uri (coupled with issues related to the COIVD-19 pandemic) are highlighting the continued need for conversations and sustainable practices that will address the growing energy-poverty nexus and renewable energy opportunities. As a resource boost, check out TEPRI's recent blog post on lived experiences of the winter storm. Subscribe to Energy Crossroads wherever you consume your podcasts.  We want to hear from you.  Visit energyhub.HARCresearch.org to learn more about what we are up to. Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads!

In this episode of Energy Crossroads, we are joined by Ariane Beck PhD, a Research Fellow in the Energy Systems Transformation Research Group at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. Ariane has nearly two decades of experience studying novel and innovative technologies ranging from devices to smart grids. Community solar programs are a relative newcomer to the clean energy stage.  Our discussion centers around the increasing presence of these programs, and the opportunities and challenges for expanding access to this cost-effective, safe, and reliable way to get energy. As a resource boost for this episode, check out the research paper Ariane and her colleagues recently published focusing on scaling community solar in Texas and the HARC solar + storage calculator. Subscribe to Energy Crossroads wherever you consume your podcasts.  We want to hear from you.  Visit HARCresearch.org or energyhub.HARCresearch.org to learn more about what we are up to. Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads !

In this episode of Energy Crossroads, we are joined by Greg Rosen, Founder and Principal at High Noon Advisors, an advisory firm focused on the rapidly evolving space comprised of renewable energy, efficiency, storage, software, finance, policy, and energy access.  Greg is a renewables finance veteran and strategist who has developed or financed more than $400 million worth of residential, commercial, and utility solar projects. There is never a dull day in the energy markets!  This discussion explores the need to scale up renewable finance strategies to correspond to the increase in private financing for clean energy, such as wind and solar, and energy efficiency projects. We also gain Greg’s insights as to 2021 trends to look for, and we learn more about some of the interesting projects he is currently leading. As a resource boost for this episode, visit www.energywelltexas.com. Subscribe to Energy Crossroads wherever you consume your podcasts.  We want to hear from you.  Visit HARCresearch.org or energyhub.HARCresearch.org to learn more about what we are up to. Enjoy this episode of Energy Crossroads!