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Future of Energy
As part of the Future of Texas series in partnership with Texas 2036, this episode explores the region powering not just Texas — but increasingly the global economy: the Permian Basin.
Through the Future of Texas podcast series, Texas 2036 brings together diverse perspectives as we explore the opportunities and challenges facing our state over the next ten years. The views expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Texas 2036, its staff or its Board of Directors.
Host Brad Swail is joined by Tracee Bentley, President and CEO of the Permian Strategic Partnership, and Jordan Wat, Director of Government Affairs at Texas 2036, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of energy, workforce growth, infrastructure, and community development in West Texas.
The discussion begins with a striking reality: if the Permian Basin were its own country, it would rank as the fourth-largest energy producer in the world — behind only Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
But this conversation goes far beyond oil production alone.
Bentley and Wat explain how the Permian Basin has become one of the most strategically important economic regions in the United States, supporting everything from electricity reliability and manufacturing to public education funding and technological innovation.
The discussion covers:
• Why the Permian Basin produces more than 50% of U.S. oil and gas
• How drilling technology and AI transformed energy production
• Why Texas energy production continues hitting record levels
• The growing electricity demand driven by AI and data centers
• Pipeline, transmission, and grid infrastructure bottlenecks
• Natural gas, LNG, and Texas grid reliability after Winter Storm Uri
• The role of the Permian in stabilizing global energy markets
• Workforce shortages and the need for 176,000 additional workers by 2040
• Housing affordability challenges in Midland and Odessa
• Health care access and specialty care shortages in West Texas
• Water scarcity, produced water, and future recycling technologies
• Career and technical education investments tied to workforce needs
• Why literacy and workforce readiness remain major long-term concerns
The episode also highlights how public-private partnerships are reshaping the region. Bentley explains how the Permian Strategic Partnership has invested more than $200 million into infrastructure, education, workforce development, and health care — leveraging those investments into billions more through state and federal collaboration.
A major takeaway is that the future of the Permian Basin is no longer just an “energy story.” It is increasingly a story about building sustainable communities capable of supporting long-term economic growth.
Looking toward 2036, both guests argue that Texas’ continued success depends on whether the state can match energy growth with investments in roads, schools, workforce training, housing, water infrastructure, and grid reliability.
The message is clear: the future of Texas is deeply tied to the future of the Permian Basin.
00:00 — Intro + Future of Energy overview
01:35 — Why the Permian Basin matters globally
03:22 — Record energy production and drilling technology
05:04 — Jobs, workforce growth, and the Texas economy
07:18 — Education funding and workforce pipelines
09:09 — Innovation, AI, and modern energy production
13:26 — Electricity demand, LNG, and grid reliability
16:24 — Infrastructure bottlenecks and pipeline capacity
22:04 — Global energy markets and the Permian’s role
25:15 — Community life in Midland and Odessa
26:57 — Roads, schools, healthcare, and housing challenges
32:32 — Career training and workforce development
35:33 — Public-private partnerships and long-term planning
37:42 — Literacy, workforce readiness, and recruitment
45:06 — Water challenges and produced water innovation
47:22 — Looking toward 2036 + closing thoughts
Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks
Follow us on social media
X: @Texas_Dispatch
Instagram: thetexasdispatch
LinkedIn: The Texas Dispatch
TikTok: texas_talks_podcast
Find more at The Texas Dispatch
Your source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism.
https://thetexasdispatch.com
View all episodes
By Texas Talks
5
22 ratings
As part of the Future of Texas series in partnership with Texas 2036, this episode explores the region powering not just Texas — but increasingly the global economy: the Permian Basin.
Through the Future of Texas podcast series, Texas 2036 brings together diverse perspectives as we explore the opportunities and challenges facing our state over the next ten years. The views expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Texas 2036, its staff or its Board of Directors.
Host Brad Swail is joined by Tracee Bentley, President and CEO of the Permian Strategic Partnership, and Jordan Wat, Director of Government Affairs at Texas 2036, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of energy, workforce growth, infrastructure, and community development in West Texas.
The discussion begins with a striking reality: if the Permian Basin were its own country, it would rank as the fourth-largest energy producer in the world — behind only Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
But this conversation goes far beyond oil production alone.
Bentley and Wat explain how the Permian Basin has become one of the most strategically important economic regions in the United States, supporting everything from electricity reliability and manufacturing to public education funding and technological innovation.
The discussion covers:
• Why the Permian Basin produces more than 50% of U.S. oil and gas
• How drilling technology and AI transformed energy production
• Why Texas energy production continues hitting record levels
• The growing electricity demand driven by AI and data centers
• Pipeline, transmission, and grid infrastructure bottlenecks
• Natural gas, LNG, and Texas grid reliability after Winter Storm Uri
• The role of the Permian in stabilizing global energy markets
• Workforce shortages and the need for 176,000 additional workers by 2040
• Housing affordability challenges in Midland and Odessa
• Health care access and specialty care shortages in West Texas
• Water scarcity, produced water, and future recycling technologies
• Career and technical education investments tied to workforce needs
• Why literacy and workforce readiness remain major long-term concerns
The episode also highlights how public-private partnerships are reshaping the region. Bentley explains how the Permian Strategic Partnership has invested more than $200 million into infrastructure, education, workforce development, and health care — leveraging those investments into billions more through state and federal collaboration.
A major takeaway is that the future of the Permian Basin is no longer just an “energy story.” It is increasingly a story about building sustainable communities capable of supporting long-term economic growth.
Looking toward 2036, both guests argue that Texas’ continued success depends on whether the state can match energy growth with investments in roads, schools, workforce training, housing, water infrastructure, and grid reliability.
The message is clear: the future of Texas is deeply tied to the future of the Permian Basin.
00:00 — Intro + Future of Energy overview
01:35 — Why the Permian Basin matters globally
03:22 — Record energy production and drilling technology
05:04 — Jobs, workforce growth, and the Texas economy
07:18 — Education funding and workforce pipelines
09:09 — Innovation, AI, and modern energy production
13:26 — Electricity demand, LNG, and grid reliability
16:24 — Infrastructure bottlenecks and pipeline capacity
22:04 — Global energy markets and the Permian’s role
25:15 — Community life in Midland and Odessa
26:57 — Roads, schools, healthcare, and housing challenges
32:32 — Career training and workforce development
35:33 — Public-private partnerships and long-term planning
37:42 — Literacy, workforce readiness, and recruitment
45:06 — Water challenges and produced water innovation
47:22 — Looking toward 2036 + closing thoughts
Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks
Follow us on social media
X: @Texas_Dispatch
Instagram: thetexasdispatch
LinkedIn: The Texas Dispatch
TikTok: texas_talks_podcast
Find more at The Texas Dispatch
Your source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism.
https://thetexasdispatch.com
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