Powering the Future: Climate, Innovation, and the AI Energy Surge

This half-day event convenes leading legal scholars, economists, and energy experts to examine the future of energy and climate policy in an AI-driven economy. Across two panels, speakers will explore the legal and constitutional implications of municipal climate litigation, as well as broader questions about energy demand, climate risk, and innovation amid rapid AI growth. Moderated by John Yoo and Steve Hayward, the discussions will focus on federalism, institutional competence, and policy frameworks that support economic resilience, technological progress, and market-driven solutions, clarifying what today’s climate and energy debates mean for the future of law, markets, and innovation.

 

Speakers: Jonathan Adler, Todd Zywicki, Michael Toth, Lynne Kiesling, Mark Mills, and Jessica Weinkle
Location: Joe C Thompson Conference Center, 2405 Robert Dedman Dr. Austin, Texas 78712
Date: Thursday, February 5th, 2026
Time: 12-6PM

 

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Young Professionals Evening

With Gene Shepherd, CEO of VTX Energy Partners.

 

Calling all young energy professionals! Join us for a small networking dinner with peers and panelists on Thursday, April 9, ahead of the Spring Student Summit, a part of UT Energy Week.

 

Spring Student Summit Agenda

 

Keynote

Omead Afshar, Office of the CEO, Tesla

Power Sources – Nuclear, Solar, Natural Gas

Jaime Gualy, COO, T1 Energy

Dr. Derek Haas, UT Associate Professor, Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Program

Mike Wichterich, Chairman of the Board, Expand Energy

Power Uses – Data Centers, AI, EV, On-Shore New Industrial

Michael McKissack, EVP Strategy, WTG Energy

Sam Siegal, VP of Business Development, Vistra

Power Project Case Study

Travis Cook, Manager, Capital Markets & Project Finance, Jupiter Power

Changes in the Power Policy Landscape

Morgan Johnson, Commissioner, Public Utility Commission of Texas

Katharine McAden, Head of Public Policy and External Affairs, South, Google

 

Contact Morgan Howden at mhowden@vtxep.com if you’re interested in attending.

 

UT Energy Week 2026 – Industry Flyer

Institute for Energy Law (IEL) Energy Law Conference

As the world’s long running energy law conference, the 77th Annual Energy Law Conference will bring together legal leaders and other professionals in the energy industry for two days of excellent educational programming covering the oil, gas, and renewables sectors of the energy industry. Attended by in-house leaders, experienced energy attorneys in private practice, government attorneys, landmen, non-legal energy professionals, and young energy professionals, this conference also provides opportunities for social and professional networking with distinguished and diverse attendees.

TEX-DEL Workshop

Join us for the TEX-DEL Workshop on Datacenter Energy and Large Loads, a unique opportunity for industry, government, national labs, and researchers to explore the latest energy solutions for large-scale data centers and guide future efforts.

 

Intersolar & Energy Storage North America Texas 2025

The IESNA Texas tradeshow and conference enables solar + storage professionals to efficiently source and examine quality products, access state-focused information, and connect with peers, industry experts, and top solution providers. Expand the accordion below to explore what is new for 2025.

Texas Energy Summit

The focus of the Summit is the intersection of air quality and energy systems, all energy systems: the grid, transportation, oil and gas, and industrial.

UT Energy Week

Five days of talks and networking with energy leaders to spark dialogue, collaboration, and innovation.

 

The University of Texas Energy Week is hosted by the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center and the Energy Institute. It is the premier annual event that is one the largest student-oriented energy conferences in the country, drawing hundreds of students, researchers, faculty, energy professionals, and industry leaders from around the world. The Longhorn Energy Club supports the annual Student Energy Research Poster Competition and student-facing networking mixers throughout the event.

 

Thursday:
Energy Institute Energy Week Programming
Gene Shepherd Speakers and Young Professionals Casual Dinner

Friday:
KBH Energy Week Programming

 

EVENT WEBSITE