Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Setting a 2020 Energy Vision
Quick Navigation
Women in Energy Breakfast
Networking breakfast celebrating women leaders and innovators shaping the future of energy.
Keynote Conversation
Mark Vanderhelm, Vice President of Energy and Facilities Management, Walmart US
Moderators:
- Reena Fram, Co-VP of Corporate Relations, Longhorn Energy Club
- Vineet Raman, VP of Finance, Longhorn Energy Club
Panel 1: Energy Leadership – New Visions for a New Era
The 2020 Energy Week program explores “2020 vision” — how governments and corporations must act decisively today to shape energy systems for decades to come. This panel spotlights global leaders building creative, scalable solutions while balancing environmental, social, and economic pressures.
Varun Rai, Director, University of Texas Energy Institute (Moderator)
- Michael Wheeler, Principal Strategist, Equinor
- David Lear, VP of Corporate Sustainability, Dell Technologies
Lunch
Lunch break.
Panel 2: Policy and Business Implications of a Green New Deal
The Green New Deal movement demands sweeping changes across energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and infrastructure. This panel explores how these ambitions could reshape policy, business strategy, and social equity — and what tradeoffs lie ahead.
David Spence, Baker Botts Chair in Law, UT Austin (Moderator)
- Andrew Waxman, LBJ School of Public Affairs
- Benjamin Leibowicz, UT Austin • Slides
- Luke Metzger, Environment Texas
- Karr Ingham, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers
Panel 3: Will Technology Save the Day? Optimist vs. Realist Perspectives
This panel examines whether technology alone can deliver a low-carbon future — or if realism about resource constraints and social change is needed. It also explores the role of media in driving energy innovation and public support.
Carey King, UT Energy Institute (Moderator) • Slides
- Bob Jensen, UT Austin
- Clay Butler, CEO, 7X Energy
- Jeffrey Ball, Stanford University
Panel 4: The USA’s Role in Global Energy Leadership
This panel examines how the U.S. can balance economic growth with environmental leadership, navigate tradeoffs in global energy policy, and drive international cooperation on climate and infrastructure.
- Understand conflicts and tradeoffs in global energy policy.
- Explore compromises between competing priorities.
- Define the U.S.’s potential leadership role.
- Connect future transportation and electricity demand to global outcomes.
Aldo Flores-Quiroga (Moderator)
- Josh Busby, UT Austin
- Etienne Cadestin, Longevity Partners
- Robert Bryce, Author & Journalist
Closing Remarks
Final reflections and key takeaways from the day’s sessions.