BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//The Austin Common - ECPv6.18.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://theaustincommon.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Austin Common
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Chicago
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20150308T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20151101T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20160313T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20161106T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20170312T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20171105T070000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20161025T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20161025T200000
DTSTAMP:20161019T132044Z
CREATED:20161019T132044Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20161019T132044Z
UID:28385-1477416600-1477425600@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Solar Austin Happy Hour: Party Perspectives on Texas Energy Policy
DESCRIPTION:From Solar Austin –\nIn honor of this year’s election season\, and given that the election falls 10 short days later\, we have chosen to focus on the body politic with a party based panel on energy policy in Texas. \nSome 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.\n\nWhen 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.\n\n\nDemocratic 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. \nGreen 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. \nLibertarian 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. \nRepublican 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. \nState 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. \nAlthough 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.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/solar-austin-happy-hour-party-perspectives-on-texas-energy-policy/
LOCATION:Scholz Garten\, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd.\, Austin\, TX\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/16170554/Solar-Austin-logo.png
GEO:30.2776765;-97.7363215
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Scholz Garten 1607 San Jacinto Blvd. Austin TX United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=1607 San Jacinto Blvd.:geo:-97.7363215,30.2776765
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20160927T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20160927T200000
DTSTAMP:20160921T145325Z
CREATED:20160921T145325Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160921T145325Z
UID:28165-1474997400-1475006400@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Solar Austin Happy Hour: Distributed Solar in the ERCOT Market
DESCRIPTION:From Solar Austin –\nDistributed solar on homes and businesses has traditionally been largely ignored by electric markets. The energy produced benefits the customer and their electric utility\, but hasn’t been valued by the market that determines when all other energy resources – including utility scale solar\, wind\, coal\, gas and nuclear – are competitively priced. As more customers are choosing solar\, many have argued that there should be a way for this resource to be valued by the wholesale market. \nThat’s why the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) – the entity that controls the electric grid that serves most of Texas – convened the Distributed Resource Energy and Ancillary Markets (DRETAM) Task Force. The purpose of the DREAM Task Force was to evaluate new rules for distributed energy resource participation in the ERCOT wholesale power market. \nThe DREAM Task Force vetted concepts and made recommendations. Then it was time for ERCOT staff and stakeholders put forth market rule revisions based upon concepts vetted in the DREAM Task Force. Dan Seif will present an update on where we are with these new rules and what it means for new profitable opportunities for distributed solar in Texas. \nDan Seif is Managing Director of Grid Economics\, a clean energy policy\, markets\, business development\, and financial advisory consulting firm. Prior to cofounding Grid Economics\, Dan was a Sr. Consultant with The Butler Firm\, an Austin-area boutique clean energy legal and consulting firm. Dan also previously led the solar program as a Principal at Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)\, was an investment team member of the private equity firm\, US Renewables Group\, and led global energy optimization and carbon emissions mitigation for the semiconductor manufacturer\, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). Mr. Seif holds a BS and MS in chemical engineering from the University of Virginia and the University of Arizona\, respectively\, and an Masters of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/solar-austin-happy-hour-distributed-solar-in-the-ercot-market/
LOCATION:Scholz Garten\, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd.\, Austin\, TX\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/16170554/Solar-Austin-logo.png
GEO:30.2776765;-97.7363215
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Scholz Garten 1607 San Jacinto Blvd. Austin TX United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=1607 San Jacinto Blvd.:geo:-97.7363215,30.2776765
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20160726T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20160726T200000
DTSTAMP:20160720T192735Z
CREATED:20160720T192735Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160720T192735Z
UID:27510-1469554200-1469563200@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Solar Austin Happy Hour - Where Does Solar Fit In?
DESCRIPTION:From Solar Austin –\nSolar Austin Happy Hour – Perspectives on Utilities: Where Does Solar Fit In? \nAs solar\, storage\, demand response\, and energy efficiency continue their ascent\, new utility business models are emerging that align utilities’ financial incentives with increasing distributed energy resources (DERs) . What are they? How do they work? And which models are most likely to win out? \nThis month\, we will hear from Mark Kapner and Doug Lewin for two perspectives on utility business models and how they interact with emerging issues around solar and clean energy. \nThis Month’s Speakers: \nMark Kapner\, PE\, Partner\, MV Green Power LLC\, is also the Engineering Manager of Frontier Associates in Austin\, Texas. He is a nationally-recognized authority in helping electric utilities expand their use of wind\, solar and bio-energy and has spoken at dozens of national and international renewable energy conferences. \nAs Senior Strategy Engineer at Austin Energy (AE) from 1999-2011\, Mark developed AE’s GreenChoice Program\, the nation’s leading renewable energy marketing program. He also was instrumental in launching Plug-In Partners\, the AE-led campaign that persuaded the automobile industry to build plug-in hybrid vehicles. Mark originated the dual storage media system for integrating off-peak wind energy and solar thermal energy to produce utility-scale dispatchable power. He has over 30 years of experience in energy technology\, environmental engineering and renewable energy policy. \nPrior to joining Austin Enegy\, Mark launched TerraSolar USA\, a solar photovoltaic company based in New Jersey\, and served as a Research and Development Manager for the New York Power Authority. He has a BS in Engineering Science from the State University of NY at Stony Brook and a Masters in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. \nDoug Lewin\, VP\, Regulatory Affairs of Market Devleopment\, leads CLEAResult’s policy efforts. Headquartered in Austin\, Texas\, with offices in more than 70 cities in the U.S. and Canada\, CLEAResult designs\, markets\, and implements energy efficiency programs for utilities and businesses. \nPrior to joining CLEAResult\, Lewin was the founding Executive Director of the South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource (SPEER). SPEER was recognized by the US Department of Energy as the regional energy efficiency organization (REEO) for Texas and Oklahoma\, working with a network of REEOs throughout the US to advance energy efficiency. Under his leadership from 2011-16\, SPEER grew from a start-up organization to a multi-million dollar organization with over 50 members. \nLewin also worked at the Texas Legislature for five years\, primarily on clean energy issues for three different elected officials in the House and Senate. Lewin earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. \nWe hope you will join us for an engaging conversation! \nState 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. \nAlthough 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.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/solar-austin-happy-hour-where-does-solar-fit-in/
LOCATION:Scholz Garten\, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd.\, Austin\, TX\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/16170554/Solar-Austin-logo.png
GEO:30.2776765;-97.7363215
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Scholz Garten 1607 San Jacinto Blvd. Austin TX United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=1607 San Jacinto Blvd.:geo:-97.7363215,30.2776765
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20160628T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20160628T200000
DTSTAMP:20160620T163747Z
CREATED:20160620T163747Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160620T163747Z
UID:27294-1467135000-1467144000@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Solar Austin Happy Hour - Solar in Texas: The Emperor Has No Clothes
DESCRIPTION:From Solar Austin –\n\n\nTexas has the most solar energy potential of any state in the U.S.\, but has been slow to adopt solar technology. Now that’s changing and all kinds of entities – wholesale electric providers\, retail electric providers\, businesses and individuals – are looking to solar as an affordable\, reliable source of energy. \nMaura Yates will speak about the values of solar in Texas\, in particular within the deregulated power market. As solar is entering the mainstream\, the mechanisms and strategies of making the values of solar accessible are sophisticated and validated. Join us for a forward discussion. \nMaura Yates is the Vice President of Sustainable Solutions for MP2 Energy where she is responsible for solar retail and generation solutions. Prior to joining MP2 Energy 2 ½ years ago\, Ms. Yates oversaw government affairs for the Rocky Mountain and Southwest regions for SunEdison and developing DG and utility-scale solar solutions for Arizona Public Service. Maura also spent time with Robert Kennedy’s environmental organization\, Riverkeeper\, prior to joining Standard Renewable Energy\, a DG and energy efficiency provider previously based out of Houston during the mid-to-late 2000s. She was named one of the ‘Top 50 Smart Grid Pioneers of 2015’ by SmartGrid Today magazine.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/solar-austin-happy-hour-solar-in-texas-the-emperor-has-no-clothes/
LOCATION:Scholz Garten\, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd.\, Austin\, TX\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/16165830/Solar-in-Texas.jpg
GEO:30.2776765;-97.7363215
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Scholz Garten 1607 San Jacinto Blvd. Austin TX United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=1607 San Jacinto Blvd.:geo:-97.7363215,30.2776765
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20160524T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20160524T200000
DTSTAMP:20160518T180520Z
CREATED:20160518T180520Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160518T180520Z
UID:26931-1464111000-1464120000@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Solar Austin Happy Hour: Screening of "Catching The Sun"
DESCRIPTION:From Solar Austin –\nAn unemployed American worker\, a Tea Party activist\, and a Chinese solar entrepreneur race to lead the clean energy future. But who wins and who loses the battle for power in the 21st century? \n\nThrough the stories of workers and entrepreneurs in the U.S. and China\, Catching the Sun captures the global race to lead the clean energy future. Over the course of a solar jobs training program\, Catching the Sun follows the hope and heartbreak of unemployed American workers seeking jobs in the solar industry.  With countries like China investing in innovative technologies and capitalizing on this trillion-dollar opportunity\, Catching the Sun tells the story of the global energy transition from the perspective of workers and entrepreneurs building solutions to income inequality and climate change with their own hands. Their successes and failures speak to one of the biggest questions of our time: will the U.S. actually be able to build a clean energy economy? \nAs we work to build our local solar economy here in Austin\, this film is relevant and timely. \nhttp://www.eventbrite.com/e/solar-austin-screening-of-catching-the-sun-tickets-25331957567 \nSchedule \n5:30 – 6:15: Networking \n6:15 – 7:30: Screening of “Catching the Sun” \n7:30 – 8:00: Discuss the film with local solar advocates\, customers and members of the industry \nFor this screening\, we are asking everyone to pay the $10 (which is normally suggested\, but not required). Students (with valid student ID) can get in for $5.  We would greatly appreciate it if you purchase a ticket online to help us keep the line moving at the door.  Cash only if you do decide to pay at the door. \n\nState 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.  Parking is free in these garages after 5 p.m.\n \n\n\n\n\n\nHave questions about Solar Austin Screening of ‘Catching the Sun’? Contact Solar Austin
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/solar-austin-happy-hour-screening-of-catching-the-sun/
LOCATION:Scholz Garten\, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd.\, Austin\, TX\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/gif:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/16170005/Solar-Austin-logo.gif
GEO:30.2776765;-97.7363215
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Scholz Garten 1607 San Jacinto Blvd. Austin TX United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=1607 San Jacinto Blvd.:geo:-97.7363215,30.2776765
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20160426T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20160426T200000
DTSTAMP:20160418T140337Z
CREATED:20160418T140337Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160418T140337Z
UID:26467-1461691800-1461700800@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Solar Austin Happy Hour: Living Building Challenge
DESCRIPTION:From Solar Austin –\nPlan to be inspired by the solar opportunity within the Living Building Challenge™.  LBC is the built environment’s most rigorous performance standard. It calls for the creation of building projects at all scales that operate as cleanly\, beautifully and efficiently as nature’s architecture. The certification process under the Challenge requires that projects meet a series of ambitious performance requirements over a minimum of 12 months of continuous occupancy.  We will hear the living proof story of the building of the Bullitt Center\, a local\, place-based community transformation in Seattle. \nAround the world\, passionate individuals are advocating for restorative building practices. They’re spreading the word and removing barriers to change.  It begins by sharing resources and collaborating locally to pursue Living Building Challenge certification. \nJoin us to hear from Karen Knight about the Living Building Challenge!
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/solar-austin-happy-hour-living-building-challenge/
LOCATION:Scholz Garten\, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd.\, Austin\, TX\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/16171536/Solar-Austin-Square.jpg
GEO:30.2776765;-97.7363215
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Scholz Garten 1607 San Jacinto Blvd. Austin TX United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=1607 San Jacinto Blvd.:geo:-97.7363215,30.2776765
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20160322T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20160322T200000
DTSTAMP:20160308T154518Z
CREATED:20160308T154518Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160308T154518Z
UID:25810-1458667800-1458676800@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Solar Austin Happy Hour: Austin Energy SHINES
DESCRIPTION:From Solar Austin –\nSolar is booming\, but the share of electricity coming from solar is still very small. As that changes\, it will be important to find ways to integrate larger amounts of solar energy in ways that keep the grid stable. As has already been demonstrated in Hawaii\, it’s important to take these steps early to avoid having solar production curtailed from homes and businesses. To that end\, Austin Energy has been awarded $4.3 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Sunshot Initiative. \nThe grant will fund the Austin Energy SHINES (Sustainable and Holistic Integration of Energy Storage and Solar PV) Project\, which will pilot and research solar\, battery storage\, and smart inverter technologies. Included in this project is the much anticipated community solar installation\, battery storage to be co-located with the community solar and battery storage at the Mueller development. \nKarl PophamKarl Popham\, Austin Energy’s Manager of Electric Vehicles & Emerging Technologies\, will join us this month to talk about the Austin Energy SHINES Program. Karl has 23+ years experience in emerging technologies\, leadership\, and consulting. He currently leads Austin Energy’s Emerging Technologies and Electric Vehicle teams to include the award winning Plug-In EVerywhere™ program. Additionally\, he is a Department of Energy Principal Investigator on 3 separate initiatives that involve renewables\, energy storage\, and mobility. He also serves on several research and policy boards relating to energy and innovation. \nPlease RSVP: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/solar-austin-happy-hour-austin-energy-shines-distributed-solar-and-storage-tickets-22664752886
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/solar-austin-happy-hour-austin-energy-shines/
LOCATION:Scholz Garten\, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd.\, Austin\, TX\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/16170613/SunShot.jpg
GEO:30.2776765;-97.7363215
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Scholz Garten 1607 San Jacinto Blvd. Austin TX United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=1607 San Jacinto Blvd.:geo:-97.7363215,30.2776765
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20160223T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20160223T200000
DTSTAMP:20160219T030933Z
CREATED:20160219T030933Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160219T030933Z
UID:25411-1456248600-1456257600@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Solar Austin Happy Hour: Solar On-Bill Financing at Pedernales Electric Co-op
DESCRIPTION:From Solar Austin –\nSolar On-Bill Financing at Pedernales Electric Co-op \n\nThe Pedernales Electric Cooperative is taking steps to encourage more of its customers to go solar – including the recent kick off on an on-bill financing program for customer-owned solar installations and battery storage.  This is exciting news\, both because it the co-op serves many Austin-area residents\, and because\, as the largest co-op in the country\, PEC can set a good example for other co-ops. \nJoin us for happy hour with Blake Beavers of PEC. \n\n 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.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/solar-austin-happy-hour-solar-on-bill-financing-at-pedernales-electric-co-op/
LOCATION:Scholz Garten\, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd.\, Austin\, TX\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/16170820/Blake-Beavers.jpg
GEO:30.2776765;-97.7363215
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Scholz Garten 1607 San Jacinto Blvd. Austin TX United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=1607 San Jacinto Blvd.:geo:-97.7363215,30.2776765
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20160127T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20160127T200000
DTSTAMP:20160108T160616Z
CREATED:20160108T160616Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20160108T160616Z
UID:24450-1453915800-1453924800@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Solar Austin Happy Hour
DESCRIPTION:From Solar Austin –\nOur first happy hour of the year is going to be one you won’t want to miss. Georgetown will soon be powered by 100% renewable energy. How is it achieving this goal so much more rapidly than Austin and most other cities? What factors were considered in the decision and what were the reasons for choosing renewable energy? \n\n\n\n\nJoin us to hear from Mayor Dale Ross\, General Manager of Georgetown Utility Systems Jim Briggs and Manager of Resource Planning and Integration Chris Foster. \n\n\n\n\n\nWhen: 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.\, Wednesday\, January 27\, 2016\nWhere: Scholz Garten\, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd\, Austin \nMayor Dale Ross:\nDale Ross has lived in the Old Town section of Georgetown for over ten years with his wife\, Mickie\, and their cat Lillie. He has a wide range of experience in the private sector as business owner\, public servant and philanthropist. He is a Certified Public Accountant and President and Founder of L. Dale Ross\, CPA\, P.C. located in Georgetown. In addition to running a successful business\, he has provided his professional advice and services with respect to formulating policy and being a steward of the taxpayers’ money in fulfilling his fiduciary responsibilities during his tenure on the Georgetown City Council. \nHe is a member of several state and national professional organizations\, as well as local non-profits like the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce\, Downtown Georgetown Association\, Georgetown Heritage Society and the Sun City Kiwanis. He is the president of the Village Lake Office Business Owners’ Association\, and is the treasurer of the Georgetown Symphony Society. He is also a past president and treasurer of the Williamson Museum on the Georgetown Square. \nIn addition to being Mayor\, Ross’ service to the City includes a term as District 6 City Council Member\, Mayor Pro-Tem\, and he was an officer or board member for five other City of Georgetown boards. \nJim Briggs:\nJim has served as the City’s Director of Community Owned Utilities and as Assistant City Manager over 26 years. In 2012 when he was promoted to the position of General Manager of Georgetown Utility Systems. As General Manager Jim is responsible for the strategic planning for the utility along with daily operations. Jim has guided the utility through years of high growth as well as times of economic recession; each economic period with its own complexities and challenges. \nJim is a graduate of Texas A&M University\, with a Bachelor’s Degree from the College of Agricultural Engineering in Mechanized Systems. Jim has earned his certification as a Certified Water Operator and as a Public Power Executive from the American Public Power Association. Jim serves currently as a board member and past President of the Texas Public Power Association. Jim is also currently serving on the Brazos River Authority Region “G” Water Planning Board. He also serves as Treasurer to Public Power Incorporated\, a for-profit affiliate of The American Public Power Association. \nIn his free time\, Jim golf’s when he is not farming or operating the family ranching business. \nChris Foster: \nChris is currently the Manager of Resource Planning and Integration for the City of Georgetown\, and has served in the capacity since 2008. His primary role is managing the City’s Municipally Owned Utility power supply. \nPrevious work includes managing payroll for the Health and human Services Commission\, fixing computer equipment for CVS and Walgreens\, and running his own tech repair company. Chris is a graduate of Georgetown High School\, holding a bachelor’s in Economics/Finance from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor\, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Texas State. Chris is also a Certified Government Finance Officer through the Government Finance Officers Association. \nChris is best known for orchestrating the successful transition of Georgetown’s power supply from a single provider that was over 90% fossil fuel based\, to being 100% wind and solar powered by 2017. Outside of energy\, Chris acts as the City’s economist and lead contract negotiator including water rights\, garbage contracts\, technological systems\, development agreements\, etc. \nChris is married with three kids. His dissertation titled “Does Proximity Matter? Measuring the effect green space has on residential water consumption”\, and can be found in the Texas State MPA ARP archives. \n\nState 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.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/solar-austin-happy-hour-3/
LOCATION:Scholz Garten\, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd.\, Austin\, TX\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/16171547/Screen-Shot-2015-12-08-at-12.00.08-PM.png
GEO:30.2776765;-97.7363215
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Scholz Garten 1607 San Jacinto Blvd. Austin TX United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=1607 San Jacinto Blvd.:geo:-97.7363215,30.2776765
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR