America stands at a crossroads. The decisions made in Washington about energy policy, including renewable energy and climate change will impact the generations to come — for better or worse.

At the Crossroads aims to equip attendees with the knowledge and perspectives to make policy decisions that prioritize human flourishing and environmental quality through economic freedom and free-market innovation.

The summit will also feature a panel on communication strategies to raise America’s energy IQ in a sound bite-driven media culture.

Energy & Environment Summit*

8:45 AM – Welcome Remarks

  • Kevin Roberts, Ph.D. – Executive Director, Texas Public Policy Foundation
  • The Honorable Jason Isaac – Senior Manager & Distinguished Fellow, Life:Powered, Texas Public Policy Foundation

8:50 AM – SESSION I – Winning Energy Policies

With more energy subsidies, environmental regulations, and government programs being proposed almost every day in Congress, champions of markets and limited government seem to be always on the defensive. Life:Powered experts and policymakers will explain what can be done to stem the tide and create winning energy policies.

Introduction

  • The Honorable Jason Isaac – Senior Manager & Distinguished Fellow, Life:Powered, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Speaker

  • Jason Hayes – Director of Environmental Policy, Mackinac Center for Public Policy

9:05 AM – SESSION II – Raising America’s Energy IQ

Energy powers everything we touch, providing light, warmth, and most of the products we use on a daily basis — yet the fossil fuel industry is vilified in the mainstream media. As access to reliable, affordable energy increases, nearly every measurement of human flourishing improves — from life expectancy and child mortality to education and economic freedom. Learn communication strategies to effectively communicate how responsible production of energy will continue to make the world safer, our environment cleaner, and each and every citizen more prosperous.

Introduction

  • Katie Tahuahua – Communications Manager, Life:Powered, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Speaker

  • Merrie Spaeth – Founder & President, Spaeth Communications

10:05 AM – SESSION III – Special Guest Rep. Michael Burgess

Introduction

  • Brent Bennett, Ph.D. – Policy Analyst, Life:Powered, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Speaker

  • Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. – Member, United States House of Representatives

10:35 AM – SESSION IV – Energy Density = Environmental Stewardship

Renewable energy is better for the environment, right? Maybe not. Despite coming from “natural” sources, both wind and solar power present significant environmental challenges, including massive land requirements and rare earth mining practices. This panel will review the many benefits of dense energy, such as fossil fuels and nuclear, to humanity and the environment.

Moderator

  • Mandy Gunasekara – Senior Fellow, Life:Powered, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Panelists

  • Benny Peiser – Director, Global Warming Policy Foundation
  • Scott Tinker – Director, Bureau of Economic Geology

11:25 AM – SESSION V – The Uphill Climate Change PR Battle

In a sensationalist and sound bite-driven culture, winning hearts and minds in the mass media and social media is the hardest battle. Climate change alarmism is growing in popularity with the birth of the Green New Deal, Greta Thunberg’s school strikes, and other headline-grabbing fads. So how do we push back against the misinformation and hysteria in the media? Communications experts join us to share persuasion tactics to inform, convert, and raise America’s energy IQ.

Moderator

  • Brian Phillips – Chief Communications Officer, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Panelists

  • Caleb Rossiter – Executive Director, CO2 Coalition
  • Merrie Spaeth – Founder & President, Spaeth Communications

12:25 PM – SESSION VI – Keynote Lunch

Introduction

  • Mike Nasi – Director, Life:Powered, Texas Public Policy Foundation and Partner, Environmental & Legislative Practice Group, Jackson Walker L.L.P.
  • The Honorable Kathleen Hartnett White – Director, Armstrong Center for Energy & the Environment and Senior Fellow, Life: Powered, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Speaker

  • Scott W. Tinker – Director, Bureau of Economic Geology

1:20 PM – Closing Remarks

  • Mike Nasi – Director, Life:Powered, Texas Public Policy Foundation and Partner, Environmental & Legislative Practice Group, Jackson Walker L.L.P.

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Life:Powered is a project of the Texas Public Policy Foundation to ensure that Americans continue to benefit from abundant, reliable, safe, and clean energy.