Solar Austin Happy Hour: Party Perspectives on Texas Energy Policy

Some knowledgeable and good-natured persons have agreed to take up the mantel of their political party, wear a partisan hat in public & discuss energy policy – remarkable and appreciated.

When Solar Austin talks energy, we typically mean the optimally distant nuclear fires of the Sun and a quiet panel on your roof. But when in TX one should be ready to talk knowledgeably about oil and gas, its regulatory body – the Texas Rail Road Commission, as well as the many renewable options with which Texas is blessed. All these energy sources will be important to TX for decades to come and become more interesting and intertwined as transportation becomes more electrified and the means and the materials of these systems become more highly engineered and dependent on our chemical, manufacturing and design prowess. The speakers we have lined up are capable of covering much of this ground.

Democratic Party – Lon Burnam is an experienced 9 term (1997-2015) TX Representative from District 90 in Ft. Worth and we are honored to have him join us. He was considered the top candidate in his primary run for the TX Railroad Commission this year. Despite endorsements from many national organizations and several of Texas’ major newspapers he was defeated in the Democratic primary to the surprise of many Texas Observers but has many earned insights to share.

Green Party – kat gruene, is a current candidate for TX Representative District 51 but is joining us principally to share a decade of experience as a Co-chair and at-large State Executive Committee member of the Green Party of Texas. She has dedicated herself to expanding access to the Texas electoral process for the past fifteen years.

Libertarian Party – Dr. Mark Miller is joining us in his capacity as Vice-Chair of the Libertarian Party of Texas. He is steeped in TX energy matters as he has indeed written the book on the Texas RailRoad Commission (see the book cover below), had a varied career in the oil and gas industry, and been a petroleum engineering faculty member at UT. He is also a 2016 candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner, the top statewide office in contention this year, and leads in endorsements from the state’s major newspaper editorial boards, including the Houston Chronicle and Dallas Morning News.

Republican Party – ?? (we are still working on it…..we will accept suggestions) – The Republican party has dominated state wide offices for over 20 years so we may simply credit the party with the status quo and let that stand as everyone’s favorite straw man for good or ill – to the degree that policy has been responsible.

State Parking Garages can be found next to, behind and across from Scholz Garten. San Jacinto Blvd., 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, and Trinity have parking garage entrances.

Although our happy hours are free and open to all, we hope you’ll consider donating to Solar Austin.  Help us keep solar energy growing in the Austin area.  You can purchase a ticket to the happy hour or go to our website, www.SolarAustin.org, to donate.  You will avoid fees by going to our website.