ADVERTISEABOUT USSUBMIT A STORYSUBSCRIBETERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY
Visit our family of Brands

Houston energy transition events not to miss, expert commentary on climate crisis, and more things to know

take note

Houston energy transition folks — here's what to know to start your week. Photo via Getty Images

Editor's note: Start your week off strong with three quick things to catch up on in Houston's energy transition: a roundup of events not to miss, a new Houston energy executive to know, and more.

Events not to miss

Put these Houston-area energy-related events on your calendar.

    • Future of Energy Summit is Tuesday, February 6, at AC Hotel by Marriott Houston Downtown. Register.
    • The 2024 NAPE Summit is Wednesday, February 7, to Friday, February 9, at the George R. Brown Convention Center. It's the energy industry’s marketplace for the buying, selling and trading of prospects and producing properties. Register.
    • The De Lange Conference, taking place February 9 and 10 at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, is centered around the theme “Brave New Worlds: Who Decides? Research, Risk and Responsibility” this year. Register.
    • The Future of Energy Across the Americas: Helping Lawyers Predict and Adapt — the 2024 Houston Energy Conference — is February 27 to March 1. Register.
    • CERAWeek 2024 is Monday, March 18, to Friday, March 22, in the George R. Brown Convention Center. Register.

    ​Commentary: Chris Wood, co-founder of Moonshot Compost, on loving the climate apocalypse​

    Chris Wood knows that the last thing anyone wants to be reminded of in 2024 is the impending climate apocalypse, but, as he writes in his guest column, "There is a scientific consensus that the world climate is trending towards uninhabitable for many species, including humans, due in large part to results of human activity."

    He cites a report that 93 percent “believe that climate change poses a serious and imminent threat to the planet.”

    "Until recently reviewing this report, I was unaware that 93 percent of any of us could agree on anything," he writes. "It got me thinking, how much of our problem today is based on misunderstanding both the nature of the problem and the solution?" Read more.

    New hire: Bracewell names new partner to advise clients on energy transition tax incentives

    Bracewell announced that Jennifer Speck has joined the firm's tax department as a partner in the Houston office. Speck will advise clients on energy transition tax incentives.

    Some of her experiences include onshore and offshore wind, solar, carbon capture, clean hydrogen and clean fuel projects. She recently served as senior manager of tax and regulatory compliance at Navigator CO2 Ventures LLC. She graduated in 2010 with a B.F.A. in mental health psychology from Northeastern State University, and received her J.D., with honors, from The University of Tulsa College of Law in 2012. Read more.

    Bracewell announced that Jennifer Speck has joined the firm's tax department as a partner in the Houston office. Photo via LinkedIn

    Energy-focused law firm names new Houston partner

    new hire

    A law and government relations firm serving energy, infrastructure, finance, and technology industries has named a new Houston partner.

    Bracewell announced that Jennifer Speck has joined the firm's tax department as a partner in the Houston office. Speck will advise clients on energy transition tax incentives.

    Some of her experiences include onshore and offshore wind, solar, carbon capture, clean hydrogen and clean fuel projects. She recently served as senior manager of tax and regulatory compliance at Navigator CO2 Ventures LLC. She graduated in 2010 with a B.F.A. in mental health psychology from Northeastern State University, and received her J.D., with honors, from The University of Tulsa College of Law in 2012.

    "Jenny has significant experience in critical tax credits for carbon capture and other energy transition projects," Elizabeth L. McGinley, chair of Bracewell's tax department, says in a news release. "Her knowledge of these, and other, tax incentives strengthens our ability to help clients take full advantage of the tax benefits available under the Inflation Reduction Act."

    Nationally recognized, Bracewell's tax department is known for its experience involving tax matters related to the energy industry. Bracewell has also led the development of one of the country's largest multidisciplinary energy transition legal teams.

    Ad Placement 300x100
    Ad Placement 300x600

    CultureMap Emails are Awesome

    Property Showcase

    Greentown Labs names first head of philanthropy

    new hire

    Greentown Labs has named its first-ever head of philanthropy in an "all hands on deck" move to advance philanthropic support for climatetech ventures.

    Stacey Harris will join the clean energy incubator and brings more than 15 years of experience to the role, having led major partnerships at organizations like Make-A-Wish International, Movember, Net Impact and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, according to a release from Greentown.

    Harris will be based out of Greentown's Boston-area incubator but will support both its Texas and Massachusetts locations. Greentown maintains headquarters in Houston and Somerville, Massachusetts.

    “Stacey brings national reach, local roots, and the entrepreneurial spirit we need,” Georgina Campbell Flatter, CEO of Greentown, said in the release. “She understands that philanthropy isn’t just about raising funds—it’s about building a movement, sustaining an ecosystem, and accelerating change together.”

    In her new role, Harris will be tasked with designing and leading a philanthropic strategy that aligns with Greentown's corporate partnerships.

    The incubator said in the release that Harris's hire is coming at a "pivotal moment," and the organization is "calling for all hands on deck" to support the clean energy space. "This includes inspiring states and local governments to lean in, individuals and family offices to step up, foundations to mobilize resources, and industry to invest boldly," the release states.

    "Philanthropy has the unique power to accelerate innovation where it matters most—by backing the people and ideas that can change the world,” Harris added in the release. “At Greentown, I see an incredible opportunity to partner with local communities in Massachusetts and Texas, while also mobilizing catalytic funds that fuel entrepreneurs globally. I’m energized to work across donors, foundations, and industry to ensure these founders have what they need to go further, faster—together.”

    Harris is the latest in a series of new hires for Greentown.

    Lawson Gow, founder of The Cannon co-working space and former managing partner at Helium Capital, was named Greentown's Head of Houston in July. Flatter was also named as the organization's new CEO in February, after Naheed Malik was named its new CFO in January.

    Houston companies team up on $700M floating solar projects in Texas

    float on

    Diamond Infrastructure Solutions has given Third Pillar Solar exclusive rights to access Diamond’s Texas reservoirs for the possible launch of utility-scale floating solar installations. Both companies are based in the Houston area.

    The potential investment in the floating solar project exceeds $700 million, and the project is expected to generate up to 500 megawatts of solar energy.

    “Our agreement with Third Pillar marks a bold step forward in how we think about infrastructure and sustainability. By transforming underutilized water surfaces into clean energy assets, Diamond is advancing its commitment to innovation while delivering long-term value,” Ed Noack, CEO of Diamond Infrastructure Solutions, said in the release.

    Dow Chemical Co. and a fund directed by Macquarie Asset Management announced the formation of Diamond in 2024. Dow holds a majority stake in Diamond, which owns Gulf Coast infrastructure used by Dow and other industrial customers at five locations in Texas and Louisiana.

    The solar installations are scheduled to be built and in operation by the end of the decade.

    The agreement between Diamond and Three Pillar “demonstrates the growing appetite for utility-scale energy solutions and highlights how floating solar can enhance and transform the value of existing infrastructure, all while providing cost-competitive energy, preserving agricultural land, reducing evaporation losses, and existing out of public view,” Jaimeet Gulati, CEO of Third Pillar, added in the realease.

    Founded in 2022 and majority-owned by renewable energy investor Glentra Capital, Third Pillar develops, owns and operates floating photovoltaic solar installations. The installations are designed to float in places such as wastewater lagoons, reclaimed sand and gravel pits and industrial reservoirs. Third Pillar’s development pipeline contains more than 60 projects.

    Rice Alliance names participants in 22th annual energy forum

    where to be

    The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship has named the 100 energy technology ventures that will convene next month at the 22nd annual Rice Alliance Energy Tech Venture Forum, as part of the second annual Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week.

    Half of the startups, which hail from nine countries and 19 states, will pitch during the event, which culminates in the annual recognition of the “Most Promising Companies." The 12 companies that were named to Class 5 of the Rice Alliance Clean Energy Accelerator will present during Demo Day to wrap up their 10-week program.

    In addition to pitches, the event will also host keynotes from Arjun Murti, partner of energy macro and policy at Veriten, and Susan Schofer, partner at HAX and chief science officer at SOSV. Panels will focus on corporate innovation and institutional venture capital. Attendees can also participate in one-on-one office hours with founders and investors.

    The forum will take place Sept. 18 at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business.

    The 2025 presenting companies include:

    • Aeromine Technologies
    • AlumaPower
    • Ammobia
    • Aqua-Cell Energy
    • Aquafortus
    • Aquora Biosystems
    • Arculus Solutions
    • Artemis Production Solutions
    • AtmoSpark Technologies
    • AtoMe
    • Badwater Alchemy
    • C+UP
    • Carbon Blade
    • Circul8 Energy & Environment
    • CO2 Lock
    • Direct C
    • DirectH2
    • Ekona Power
    • Exum Instruments
    • Fathom Storage
    • Flyscan Systems
    • Geokiln Energy Innovation
    • Glint Solar
    • Hive Autonomy
    • Horne Technologies
    • Hydrogenious LOHC Maritime
    • Innowind Energy Solutions
    • Iron IQ
    • Kewazo
    • LiNova Energy
    • Lukera Energy
    • Lydian
    • Mcatalysis
    • Metal Light
    • Mithril Minerals
    • Moment Energy
    • Moonshot Hydrogen
    • Muon Vision
    • PolyQor
    • Polystyvert dba UpSolv
    • Precision Additive
    • RapiCure Solutions
    • Resollant
    • SiriNor
    • Skyven Technologies
    • Sperra
    • SpiroPak
    • Sweetch Energy
    • Teverra
    • Utility Global
    • Xplorobot

    Companies participating in office hours include:

    • Active Surfaces
    • Advanced Reactor Technologies
    • Advanced Thermovoltaic Systems
    • Ai Driller
    • Airbridge
    • Airworks Compressors
    • Austere Environmental
    • Brint Tech
    • CarbonX Solutions
    • Cavern Energy Storage
    • Celadyne Technologies
    • CERT Systems
    • CubeNexus
    • Deep Anchor Solutions
    • Ellexco
    • Emerald Battery Labs
    • Equipt.ai
    • FAST Metals
    • FieldMesh
    • FlowCellutions
    • Fluidsdata
    • GrapheneTX
    • GS VORTEX SYSTEMS
    • Installer
    • Kanin Energy
    • MacroCycle Technologies
    • Modular MOPU
    • NANOBORNE
    • NetForwards
    • Oxylus Energy
    • PetroBricks
    • PHNXX
    • RASMAG Energy
    • RedShift Energy
    • RENASYS
    • RenewCO2
    • Resonantia Diagnostics
    • Respire Energy
    • Safety Radar
    • SeaStock
    • Secant Fuel
    • SolGrapH
    • Stratos Perception
    • Terraflow Energy
    • Think Energy Holdings
    • Turnover Labs
    • Utiltyx
    • Zenthos Energy

    Find information about the full day of events here, or click here to register.

    View All Listings