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.

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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. 

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: ESG Decoded Podcast - ClimeCo

·       EJScreen: Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool: https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen

·       Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool: https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5

·       Just Transition Score: Just Transition Score (socialprogress.org)

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.  

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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.  

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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.

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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.  

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In this episode of Energy Crossroads, we are joined by Jane Stricker, Senior Vice President, Energy Transition & Executive Director, Houston Energy Transition Initiative, The Greater Houston Partnership.  Jane is responsible for leading the Partnership’s initiative to leverage Houston’s energy leadership to accelerate global solutions for a low-carbon future. Jane is also a contributing faculty member of the University of Houston’s Center for Carbon Management in Energy, a Regional Advisory Board member for the Energy Industries Council, North & Central America, and member of the Advisory Board of the Houston Chapter of WRISE.  

Meeting the world’s energy needs, while also addressing climate change in a way that reduces emissions and achieves our collective goals is the focus of this episode. Houston will continue to remain in the center of these conversations, given its engineering expertise and advancements with a forward gaze on the future including a potential hydrogen hub, carbon capture utilization and storage, and renewables. The Energy Capital of the World is on the forefront of an energy abundant, low carbon or net zero future.

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!

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.  

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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.

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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.

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 !