The opening ceremony officially launches Houston Energy & Climate Week.

The theme "We Do Hard Things" highlights the resilience of Houston, especially in uncertain times. As we begin the first Houston Energy and Climate Week, we face the challenges of the energy transition directly. We can foster an inclusive energy landscape by embracing innovation and sustainability while addressing social disparities. Our commitment to collaboration and proactive leadership positions Houston as a leader in energy solutions. According to the 2024 Kinder Institute Houston Area Survey, about three-quarters of residents, especially younger generations, support prioritizing renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydrogen. Stephen Klineberg states, “The story of Houston is that we are there first.” Yet, we must remain aware of potential challenges that rapid changes could pose to our energy supplies. Join us for the opening ceremonies to discuss the costs, impacts, policy, and community needs surrounding this transition in Houston.

AGENDA

7:00 - 8:30 AM - Registration, Breakfast & Conversations on Climate: Podcast Open Mic with Mark LaCour

Join us for an engaging and dynamic morning at the Opening Ceremony Networking Breakfast. Mark LaCour, renowned host from OGGN (the world's leading podcast network for oil and energy). OGGN will set up a podcast studio for a special live recording session. This unique event, Point/Counterpoint Open Mic, invites participants to step up to the mic and share their perspectives in the spirit of unity.

8:30 AM - Opening

Welcome - Lindsay Roe, President, Allies in Energy
The Unity Commitment - Kerry Bowie, General Partner, Malaika Ventures and Founder, Browning the Green Space
Opening Keynote: Houston, We Do Hard Things - Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones

9:00 AM - We Do Hard Things: The Pragmatic Realities of a Lower Carbon Future

Transitioning to a low-carbon future hinges on advancing technologies, effective policies, and environmental justice. Key innovations include carbon capture, hydrogen, renewable energy, and transportation electrification, which are crucial in cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Policies facilitate this shift by providing incentives and regulations and supporting infrastructure and research to ensure compliance with climate goals.

Linda Lorelle, Emmy Award Winning Journalist Civil Dialogues & Lorelle Media
Jean Becker, Former Chief of Staff - George H.W. Bush Co-Founder, Civil Dialogues & NY Times Best Selling Author
Pat Wood, CEO of Hunt Energy and Former Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Texas
Karl Pettersen, President, Pettersen Consulting
Juliana Garaizar, Founding Partner, Energy Tech Nexus and Co-Chair, Houston Energy & Climate Week
Theo Wilson, Actor, Executive Director of Shop Talk Live, Host of The History Channel's 'I Was There'

10:30 AM- We Do Hard Things: Resiliency - Building for Now and the Future

How does Houston build for the future? To ensure a resilient Houston, we must prioritize infrastructure that mitigates flooding risks and enhances the quality of life while investing in sustainability. Addressing climate change requires immediate actions and long-term strategies to prepare our community. This discussion will highlight the importance of developing a skilled workforce with energy literacy and effective communication to engage the public in resilience planning. By focusing on smart infrastructure and risk reduction, Houston can innovate solutions that protect citizens and foster a sustainable energy landscape for future generations, thereby enhancing all residents' overall quality of life.

Katie Mehnert, Chief Executive Officer, ALLY Energy and Co-Chair, Houston Energy & Climate Week
Angela Blanchard, Chief Recovery and Resilience Officer, City of Houston
Jim Keyes, former Chief Executive Officer, Blockbuster and 7-Eleven
Kelly A. Burks-Copes, PhD, Chief, Program Support Branch, Mega Project Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District
Dr. Ramanan Krishnamoorti, Vice President of Energy and Innovation, University of Houston

11:15 AM - We Do Hard Things: The Future of Houston’s Leadership on Energy Policy

Join us for an engaging discussion as we explore the rich history and promising future of Houston's leadership in energy policy. This event will discuss how Houston has shaped and continues to influence the national and global energy landscape and what the next half of the decade might look like. We'll explore the recent National Petroleum Council study on America's hydrogen strategy and discuss the critical role of federal, state, and local partnerships, innovation, and collaboration in driving sustainable energy solutions.

Kyle Wiley, Co-Founder, Connector, Inc.
Darin Rice, General Manager, Hydrogen Strategy & Market Insights, Chevron New Energies
Maxine Pitter Lunn, Ph.D., Public Diplomacy Team Lead, U.S. Department of State
Stan Kitzman, State Representative for Texas House District 85.

Noon - Lunch

Event terms and conditions

2024 Houston Energy & Climate Week Opening Ceremonies

Monday September 9, 2024

Team Members