The Dallas Sierra Club hosts the second Earth, Wind & Fire Energy Summit at the Addison Conference Center on Oct. 22-23.

Sept. 26, 2016 

If North Texans had a more in-depth understanding of energy sources, they'd make smarter choices. That's the simple logic behind the Dallas Sierra Club's second Earth, Wind & Fire Energy Summit at the Addison Conference Centre on Oct. 22-23. According to organizers, its purpose is to make local officials, along with the public, more aware of not only the overall view of Texas energy, but the cutting edge of new technology. Nationally and internationally known academics and policy experts will discuss a variety of energy topics in both open general discussions and breakout discussions.  

Rita Beving, Dallas Sierra Club activist and conference organizer, says that we have to take a long-range view of our energy choices for the sake of our environment. 

“We need to think about not only the price per kilowatt, but the price to public health,” she advises. “Therefore, we need to look at new technology for long-term plans for Texas. The state often looks at what they know as old technology, e.g., hazardous coal, nuclear and natural gas. There are new forms of energy out there.”  

The conference was launched in 2014, with more than 230 attendees. The reason for not holding it back-to-back is because organizers knew that more knowledge/efficiency would be forthcoming. Among other things, this year’s summit will apprise attendees about things like deep injection, earthquakes and battery storage. In addition, the price of natural gas has greatly diminished, making renewables very desirable. The conference will shine light on all recent changes in the world of energy.  

“We’re very proud this year to have internationally known climate scientist Kathryn Hayhoe who will discuss the effects of energy sources on climate change,” Beving says. “To name a few, other first-time speakers at this year’s conference are Jack Farley speaking on various kinds of battery storage; Chris Foster speaking on the city of Georgetown being the first 100 percent renewable city in Texas and Dr. Arjun Makhijani is talking about nuclear power. Mark Jacobson is speaking on the economics of energy. Because Warren Lasher, director of ERCOT, was so popular in 2014, we’re bringing him back to speak on transmission planning.” 

For those interested in fracking, Dr. Brian Stump and Dr. Zachariah L. Hildenbrand will cover this topic. Dr. Stump did a study on fracking in Azle and Reno, Texas.

The lineup also includes some local experts – Larry Howe, co-founder of the Plano Solar Advocates and Texas Solar Energy Society vice chair, and Paul Westbrook, who recently retired from Texas Instruments where he was the Sustainable Development Manager since 1983. At TI, Paul drove the effort to build the first LEED Gold certified semiconductor facility in the world in Richardson, Texas.  

Beving relates that most conferences with this many speakers would cost hundreds of dollars to attend, but thanks to sponsors, the event is offered at cost. You may register online with credit or debit card or via mail with check. Early registration before Oct. 1, 2016 is $55 per person. Price increases to $75 on Oct. 1, and is subject to space availability. Students and teachers are offered a $25 rate when school IDs are presented. 

Sponsors still have time to contact Beving at Rita.Beving@gmail.com.

Earth, Wind & Fire Energy Summit

About: Hosted by the Dallas Sierra Club, this two-day weekend event aims to provide attendees with not only a global view of America’s energy portfolio, discussing both traditional and renewable forms of energy, but also will focus on the state of energy in Texas with an eye toward our energy future. The conference is designed for the members of the public, students, and elected officials who want the opportunity to learn about a wide array of energy issues.

When: Oct. 22-23

Where: Addison Convention Centre

Cost: Before Oct. 1, $55 per person. Price increases to $75 on Oct. 1, and is subject to space availability. Students and teachers are offered a $25 rate when school IDs are presented.  

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