PowerHouse Texas

I’m excited to share insights from a powerful panel moderated by Margo Weisz at the Texas Energy Summit on “The Role of Civil Society”. Margo, co-founder and Executive Director of the Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute (TEPRI), led a dynamic discussion with Patricia Zavala (Executive Director of PowerHouse Texas), Mark Strama Director at the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life (University of Texas), and Randall Kempner President of Prosperity Strategies. The key takeaways from this thought-provoking session: ?? Private Industry Leads Change: While the private sector will drive most of the innovation and transformation in energy, higher education, public policy, and non-profits will play essential roles in supporting and guiding the public throughout this transition. ?? Robust Policy Making: For real impact, we need an inclusive policy-making process that brings diverse stakeholders to the table — from communities to business leaders, all voices must be heard. ?? Philanthropy’s Critical Role: Philanthropy is evolving beyond traditional giving to leverage its investment assets for high-risk, high-reward opportunities, especially in emerging fields like clean energy. The convergence of private equity and philanthropy presents exciting new opportunities for transformative change. ?? Margo’s Vision: Margo has been instrumental in amplifying the voices that often go unheard in policy discussions, particularly those affected by energy poverty. Her leadership at TEPRI continues to champion energy solutions that are inclusive and equitable for all Texans. This panel underscored the importance of collaboration across sectors and the role of civil society

How can Texas safeguard its $2.5 trillion economy against the devastating impacts of future droughts? A new report by Gabriel Collins, Baker Botts Fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, and Texas 2036 reveals the vital role of strategic investments in water infrastructure. Key findings include: ?? $40 billion/year: Potential economic damage to large cities during a severe drought. ?? $15 billion/year: Agricultural and livestock losses statewide from drought impacts. ?? $2 billion/year: Revenue lost from utility system leaks alone. This research underscores the urgent need for smart, targeted investments in water to protect the economy and create a sustainable future for Texas. Learn more about how proactive planning can turn challenges into opportunities: https://lnkd.in/gMPQX_cE #WaterInfrastructure #TexasEconomy #Sustainability #EnergyAndWater

Are you or someone you know ready to break into a career in energy policy? Then you're in luck because we just extended the deadline to apply for our 2025 Energy Policy Fellowship. Fellows will be paired with bipartisan members of the Texas House or Senate to work on energy and/or environmental policy in Austin from Jan.-June 2025. This is the ONLY undergraduate and graduate level fellowship focused on energy at the Texas Capitol, and did we mention it's PAID?! Fellows receive $4,000/month. Applications close December 1st. Visit our website to apply, and please share with those who might be interested! https://lnkd.in/gVBCajQE https://lnkd.in/g39RZFQA

We love seeing this great update from our former intern Shreeya Madhavanur! Shreeya will be lending her talents to the Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy as their new intern. Shreeya is studying Business and Political Science on the pre-law track at Rice University, and was a huge help to our team. Congratulations, Shreeya!

Have you watched Episode 1 of "Power Trip: The Story of Energy" yet? It is now available for free on the PBS official YouTube channel. Learn more about how we use energy for water and water for energy in this episode, featuring several notable experts including Dr. Michael E. Webber and former U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest J. Moniz.

It's official! Governor Greg Abbott?and the?Public Utility Commission of Texas have announced the release of the?Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group’s final report. The report includes?seven key legislative?recommendations?to position Texas as a global leader in advanced nuclear energy: 1. Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Authority:?Establish a non-regulatory entity to coordinate Texas’ strategic nuclear vision, implement policy recommendations, and manage state nuclear incentive programs. 2. Texas Nuclear Permitting Officer:?Designate a single state-level point of contact to assist developers and businesses in navigating the complex permitting process for advanced nuclear projects. 3. Workforce Development Program:?Develop initiatives across community colleges and universities to train a homegrown workforce in nuclear-grade welding, radiological monitoring, reactor operations, and related fields. 4. Texas Advanced Manufacturing Institute:?Create a hub to foster innovation and build a robust nuclear supply chain, positioning Texas as a leader in advanced manufacturing technologies. 5. Texas Nuclear Public Outreach Program:?Launch a communications initiative to educate Texans on the safety, reliability, and benefits of advanced nuclear energy. 6. Texas Nuclear Energy and Supply Chain Fund:?Provide cost-sharing grants to incentivize early development, siting, and manufacturing readiness in the nuclear supply chain. 7. Texas Nuclear Energy Fund:?Establish a fund modeled after the Texas Energy Fund to bridge financial gaps and support advanced nuclear power projects. Thank you to our friends over at the Texas Nuclear Alliance for sharing this summary! It’s time to build more #nuclear in Texas! Full report here: https://lnkd.in/eExfdvzJ

NRG Energy is teaming up with Renew Home, a leader in virtual power plant (VPP) technology, to enhance residential VPP capabilities. Together, they aim to distribute hundreds of thousands of smart thermostats by 2035, building a nearly 1 GW AI-powered VPP to strengthen the Texas grid's resiliency and help households save on energy costs. Powered by Google Cloud, this collaboration promises a smarter, more sustainable energy future.

ICYMI: The Conservative Energy Network hosted a recent webinar on “Empowering Tomorrow: Evaluating Our Energy Infrastructure's Impact on National Security.” In an era of increased power demand and cyber threats that pose significant risks to our national power grid, robust energy production and secure energy transmission systems have never been more essential. One of the featured speakers, Jade Gillespie from Conservative Texans For Energy Innovation, shared her expertise. Last month, Jade was a guest speaker at our inaugural Energy Academy for bipartisan legislative staffers, where she spoke about the promising role geothermal can play as a key part of Texas’ sustainable energy future.

?? We are seeking a dynamic and experienced part-time Communications Consultant to support our social media, email communications, website and overall communications strategy. This role is ideal for a creative thinker who can help elevate our brand and engage our audience effectively. A full job description can be seen on our website. Please share with those who might be interested! https://lnkd.in/gMBNEVcR

A big thank you again to Apex Clean Energy for welcoming our group of bipartisan legislators and legislative staff last month for our San Angelo Energy Tour!