What Starts Here Energizes the World





Tuesday, February 18, 2025

A Clouded Energy Outlook

Opening Remarks

9:30 – 9:45 AM
Opening Remarks

Opening Keynote: Emergent or Ephemeral: Macro Themes in Power

9:45 – 10:45 AM
Opening Keynote

Paul Hudson, President, General Infrastructure •
Click to view PDF slides

Panel 1: Geopolitical Ramifications of the Energy Transition

10:45 – 11:45 AM
Panel Discussion

Beyond 2020, how will the energy transition reshape the geopolitical landscape?
The transition pits renewables against fossil fuels, potentially disrupting global power structures.
This panel explores whether power will shift from fossil-fuel exporters, if US-China dynamics will fracture geopolitics,
and whether nationalism will block cooperation and worsen the climate crisis.

William Inboden (Moderator)

Lunch Keynote Address

12:00 – 1:00 PM

Daniel R. Simmons,
Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy (EERE)

Panel 2: Making Minerals Great Again

1:15 – 2:15 PM

This panel explores critical minerals in the energy transition — from lithium and cobalt to rare earths — and examines
vulnerabilities in global supply chains, geopolitical implications, and how these materials might shape the future of clean energy.

Richard Chuchla (Moderator)

Panel 3: Fuels for Tomorrow’s Transport

2:30 – 3:30 PM

As transportation evolves beyond petroleum, this panel explores how biofuels, electricity, and hydrogen could shape the next generation of mobility.

Kara Kockelman (Moderator)

Panel 4: Energy Development in Emerging Economies

3:45 – 4:45 PM

Sponsored by Texas Law’s Institute for Transnational Law, this panel discusses the legal and policy challenges of building energy infrastructure in emerging economies under climate pressure.

Richard Amato (Moderator)

Student Research Competition & Networking Reception

5:00 – 7:00 PM

Student Research Competition
Networking Reception

Panel 5: Energy Tradeoffs – Understanding Global Energy Needs

6:00 – 7:00 PM

Hosted by the McCombs Energy Initiative, this forum discusses careers in energy and the need for collaboration across sectors to meet future demand.

Student Research Competition Awards Ceremony

7:30 PM

Awards Ceremony