The Winds of Change: How Shifting Laws and Policies are Affecting the Offshore Energy and Maritime Sectors in the U.S. and Europe Join us for The University of Texas School of Law’s one-day roundtable exploring how shifting laws, regulations, and geopolitical dynamics are reshaping the offshore energy and maritime sectors across the U.S. and Europe. Scholars and practitioners from Texas, Athens, Swansea, and Queen Mary University will discuss topics including:🔹 Offshore carbon sequestration and CO₂ transport🔹 Legal challenges around new maritime fuels🔹 Cyber-physical systems in offshore operations🔹 Hydrocarbon regulation and geopolitics🔹 The evolving landscape of offshore wind development 🥪 Lunch provided! 🤝Opportunities to network 🎓 Open to students, faculty, and anyone interested in energy and maritime policy PROGRAM Morning – First Session – Carbon Sequestration – 9:30 am – 10:40 am John Dzienkowski – Moderator Lia Athanasiou (Athens) – “Maritime Transport, Storage and Re-use of CO2” Susan Hovorka (UT Bureau of Economic Geology) – “The Promise of Offshore Sequestration” Coffee Break – 10:40 am – 11:00 am Morning – Second Session Part A – Maritime Issues – 11:00 am – 12:10 pm Lauren Fielder – Moderator Tabetha Kurtz-Shefford (Swansea) – “Future-Proofing Fault: International Liability for Novel Marine Fuels” Michael Sturley (Texas) – “Maritime Issues in the Offshore Industry” Lunch – 12:10 pm – 1:10 pm Afternoon – Second Session Part B – Maritime Issues – 1:10 pm – 2:20 pm David Spence – Moderator Barış Soyer (Swansea) – “Fueling the Future Safely: Why the HNS Convention Matters More Than Ever in the Era of New Maritime Fuels” Miriam Goldby (Queen Mary University – Fulbright Scholar) – “Cyber-physical systems in maritime and offshore: some implications for law and contract” Afternoon – Third Session – Recent Developments in the Hydrocarbon Space – 2:20 pm – 3:30 pm Melinda Taylor – Moderator Antonio Massieu – Toeppich & Associates (Former General Counsel, Mexican Hydrocarbons Commission) – “A perspective on regulatory developments in Mexico that affect upstream oil and gas” Emmanuel Mastromanolis (Athens) – “Geopolitical tensions and unilateral conduct in the natural gas sector: current status quo and the way forward” Coffee Break – 3:30 pm – 3:50 pm Afternoon – Fourth Session – Offshore Wind Issues – 3:50 pm – 5:00 pm John Dzienkowski – Moderator David Spence (Texas) – Recent U.S. developments (cancellation of leases, lawsuits overthrowing the cancellations) and the polarized political discourse regarding offshore wind. Robin Main (Hinckley Allen) – “Challenges facing private companies seeking to develop offshore wind in the United States.” No registration is required – just show up! ADD TO CALENDAR
Women in Energy Lunch Time: 12-1:30PM Hosted by our student group, Women in Energy. Kelly McBeth will be attending. RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcb6ecCaIF7-yYVWPJxMMYID90PxHcZvPUpOFLtGvLUwA0yw/viewform
Nuclear Niche Happy Hour – September 1, 2026 Network with fellow students who are just as interested in discussing and learning more about nuclear energy as you are. Time and exact location to be confirmed.
2026 Spring Student Summit Time: 9AM-1:30PM We’re excited to bring you our 2026 Spring Student Summit, Powering the Next Decade! As part of UT Energy Week, the Summit is designed to foster meaningful interaction between students and industry professionals while exploring the growth in demand for U.S. power generation, emerging sources of supply, and the policy landscape shaping the U.S. power system. Schedule 8:15 AM – 9:00 AM Registration and Breakfast / Meet & Greet with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and the Student Advisory Council 9:00 AM – 9:05 AM Welcome and Introductions 9:05 AM – 9:40 AM Keynote: “Building Energy for a Changing World” Brittany Kelm, White House Senior Policy Advisor, National Energy Dominance Council Kayla Shelkey, Moderator 9:45 AM – 11:25 AM Panel 1 – “Delivering on US Power Needs Over the Coming Decade” Michael DeShazer, Executive Vice President – Operations, Coterra Energy Jaime Gualy, COO of vertically integrated U.S. solar and battery storage leader T1 Energy Dr. Derek Haas, UT Associate Professor of Nuclear and Radiation Engineering, consultant to nuclear energy development companies and co-founder of NuWells Energy Muhammad Ahmed and Melissa Banda, Moderators 10:30 AM – 11:05 AM Keynote Omead Afshar, Former Senior Executive, Tesla Max Lies, Moderator 11:10 AM – 11:50 AM Panel 2 – “Infrastructure Build-Out as a Foundation for the US and Texas AI Opportunity” Therese Kerfoot, EVP of Strategy at Edgecore Digital Infrastructure Michael McKissack, EVP Strategy, WTG Sam Siegel, VP of Business Development, Vistra Arthith Iyer and Mary Zhao, Moderators 11:50 AM – 12:05 PM Lunch 12:05 PM – 12:45 PM Power Project Case Study – “US Battery Storage, Facilitating the US Energy Transition” Travis Cook, Associate, Capital Markets & Project Finance, Jupiter Power Tucker Sachs, Moderator 12:50 PM – 1:30 PM Panel 3 – “How Will Public Policy and Grid Underpin Texas’ Bullish Economic Outlook” Morgan Johnson, Commissioner with Public Utility Commission of Texas Katharine McAden, Head of Public Policy and External Affairs, South Region, Google Chad Seely, SVP Regulatory Policy, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, ERCOT Megan Thrutchley and Bo Parham, Moderators 1:30 PM – 1:35 PM Closing Remarks REGISTER FOR THE SUMMIT (don’t forget to click ‘Friday’ at checkout)
Hydrogen Rising Stars Program The Rising Stars Program will once again run alongside World Hydrogen & Carbon Americas, taking place March 10–12 at the Marriott Marquis in Houston. This opportunity is for students, early-career professionals, or young professionals network. The program offers a limited number of complimentary passes and provides a valuable opportunity to gain exposure to real-world hydrogen and carbon management projects, technical and strategic insights, and meaningful industry connections. Participants in the Rising Stars Program will be joining senior representatives from organizations already confirmed to attend the event, including Oxy, ExxonMobil, Amazon, TALKE, Rabobank, Constellation, SABIC, TotalEnergies, CEMEX, Shell, Dow, BASF, CF Industries, ENGIE, Air Products, Air Liquide, ConocoPhillips, Siemens Energy, Linde, Topsoe, ADM, Evonik, Neste, the Global CCS Institute, NEDO, the Port of Houston, the Port of Los Angeles, Bank of America, and many more. This exposure makes the program a particularly valuable experience for those at the early stages of their careers who are looking to deepen their understanding of the hydrogen transition and low-carbon technologies. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and complimentary passes are subject to approval and availability, so we encourage interested individuals to apply as soon as possible. APPLY
Energy & Espresso Hot takes. Hot coffee. Hot topics. 🔥 Our newest student group, @womeninenergy.ut, is kicking off their first monthly Energy & Espresso event. Come talk energy trends, ideas, and the future of the industry with fellow students who care about changing it ⚡ This event welcomes all perspectives and attendance from various energy groups across campus. 🗓 Friday, Feb 27 | 1–2PM 📍 Rowling Hall (RRH 1.350) ☕ Coffee and snacks provided All majors are welcome – no RSVP required! See you there.
Law and Business Program Lunch Law and Business Program Lunch, an event by TJOGEL Please join us for a conversation with Michael Levy, Texas Law alum and founder of Texas Monthly, as he shares his journey from law school to the journalism and business world. The event is hosted on Thursday, January 29th from 12:00-1:00pm in TNH 2.137, UT Austin. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP here before Monday, January 26th to ensure we have enough food.