Energy

At Texas Renewables 2014, we will explore today’s energy landscape, give a nod to how we got here, acknowledge the significant contribution the  renewable energy industry is making, and discuss the very real role it will play and challenges it will face in shaping Texas’ energy future

Attendees, in the company of hundreds of colleagues old and new, will have the opportunity to hear and meet dozens of distinguished and accomplished speakers who are deep in the fray. Their experience and perspectives will matter as we continue pursuit of a critical and ever growing share of this state’s energy mix.

Presenter: Russel Smith, Executive Director of the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association ("TREIA").  

In the 2013 legislative session, solar energy won some important victories, due in part to the dedication and actions by many individuals. At one of our past meetings, a state legislator told us as few as five or six people contacting her could make a difference. 

At our special Nov.1 meeting, Russel will talk about the next legislation efforts we can expect from TREIA and others - and what we can do to help. 

Following the presentation, tour the Dallas Makerspace.

The debate will pit former DISH, Texas Mayor Calvin Tillman against "Fracknation" producer Phelim McAleer. Jacki Daily of KLIF will moderate.

The two debaters will square off over opposing claims about the safety and practicality of oil and gas production using hydraulic fracturing and will include an audience question and answer period. The debate is open to the public, but seating is limited to 160, so come early for a chair in the lecture hall.

Sponsored by FracDallas.

Annual Julia Burgen Lecture Series. A panel will discuss residential installation, permitting, inspection, incentives, payback time and buyback programs.

6:30: Reception. 7pm: Panel presentations followed by Q&A.

Community: Robert Litwins, Plano Solar Advocates

Homeowner: Danny Kocurek, solar power consumer

Industry: Kristy Tyra, Program manager, energy efficiency, Oncor incentive program

Government: Tamara Cook, manager of environment & development programs, NCTCOG Solar Ready II

Info: Jan Miller, jgmiller5594@sbcglobal.net.

Mansfield Gas Well Awareness, a new group of Mansfield residents, is sponsoring what’s believed to be the first DFW presentation by a medical doctor on the health effects of fracking as part of a campaign to re-write the city’s six-year old drilling ordinance they say no longer reflects the best science, or provides enough public protection.

Dr. Anne Epstein, M.D. is an internal medicine specialist who graduated from Baylor Medical School and sits on the Lubbock County Board of Health. She’s a member of the Board’s Oil and Gas Advisory Committee that recently voted to recommend setbacks of 1,500 feet separating homes, workplaces, and schools from wells. Mansfield currently allows wells as close as 600 feet to residences, with post drilling development up to 100 feet.

READ Star-Telegram article.

DFW Clean Cities Coalition meeting is held in conjunction with the Pinnacle Propane Mower University event. In addition to the meeting agenda, attendees will also be able to learn about available incentives and test drive alt fuel commercial lawn equipment.

Info: cleancities@nctcog.org

October Conference Call: The Eighth Billion, a film by Monty Hempel

Free Call In: (855) 212-0212, PIN: 172-909-013

This month, Monty Hempel will join us to talk about his most recent film, The Eighth Billion. The film examines the intersection of human population growth and the decline of wild places and creatures. It concentrates on the magnificent landscapes and seascapes that are being irreversibly altered by overpopulation and increasing per capita consumption rates.

Click here to watch free: http://vimeo.com/102369639

A documentary that tells the story of America’s addiction to oil, from its corporate conspiracy beginnings to its current monopoly today, and explains clearly and simply how we can end it – and finally win choice at the pump.

Watch trailer.

A documentary that tells the story of America’s addiction to oil, from its corporate conspiracy beginnings to its current monopoly today, and explains clearly and simply how we can end it – and finally win choice at the pump.

Watch trailer.

The film is showing Friday at 7:30 pm and Saturday at 4:30 pm.

Even though the cost of electricity in Texas is among the lowest in the nation, placing new technologies at a competitive disadvantage relative to other states, rooftop solar and plug-in electric vehicles are beginning to penetrate the Texas market. As with the development of other technologies, public policy and financial incentives are helping rooftop solar and plug-in electric vehicle technologies compete in the retail market. The emergence of these technologies presents both opportunities and challenges to the Texas market. 

This webinar will look at key factors driving these grid management challenges and the legal and regulatory context for such improvements.  Topics Include:

• Current realities of the broader Texas solar market, and the most likely local markets for connecting these technologies to the grid;

• Legal and regulatory challenges to broad deployment of distributed generation, and how to structure transactions, system designs and ownership to meet those challenges;