August 27-28 |  2026

Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin

Annual Members

Retreat Program

Become a Sponsor

Day One

Thursday, August 27

Members and partners are invited to connect over lunch before the retreat’s policy programming begins.

Networking Lunch

11:00AM - 12:00PM

Wildflower Atrium

Session 1: Data Center Growth: Balancing Grid, Water & Community Needs

Royal Ballroom

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Texas is attracting unprecedented data center investment, creating new economic opportunities alongside significant demands on the state’s electric and water systems. Members will examine how Texas can support continued growth while strengthening grid reliability, managing water resources, and addressing the needs of host communities.

Introduced by Representative Penny Morales Shaw (D, HD-148)

Legislative Leads:

Senator Molly Cook (D, SD-15)
Representative Cassandra Garcia Hernandez (D, HD-115)
Representative David Spiller (R, HD-68)

Speakers:

Dr. Ning Lin, Bureau of Economic Geology;
Dr. Margaret Cook, Houston Advanced Research Center;
Dr. Aparajita Datta, University of Houston

Session 2: Getting More from the Grid we Have: Innovation, Flexibility & Consumer Savings

Royal Ballroom

1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Texas can serve growing electricity demand not only by building new infrastructure, but also by using existing assets more efficiently. Members will explore how grid-enhancing technologies, distributed energy resources, demand response, energy efficiency, and competitive market tools can improve reliability while limiting costs for consumers.

Legislative Leads:

Representative Richard Hayes (R, HD-57)
Senator José Menéndez (D, SD-26)
Representative Erin Zwiener (D, HD-45)

Introduced by Doug Lewin, Google

Speakers:

Olivier Beaufils, Aurora Energy Research
Matthew Boms, Advanced Energy United

Session 3: Scaling Geothermal Energy in Texas: From Innovation to Deployment

Royal Ballroom

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Geothermal is clean firm. Texas has the workforce, subsurface expertise, and energy infrastructure needed to lead the next generation of geothermal development. This session will examine the policy, financing, and risk-sharing tools that could help promising projects move from demonstration to commercial scale.

Members-Only Executive Session

4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Legislative Leads:

Representative Paul Dyson (R, HD-14)
Representative Josey Garcia (D, HD-124)
Representative AJ Louderback (R, HD-30)

Introduced by Kristina Brown, Chevron

Speakers:

Dr. Derek Adams, Permian Energy Development Lab
Ben Sebree, Texas Geothermal Energy Alliance

Caucus members will reflect on the day’s discussions, identify areas of agreement, and begin translating key takeaways into shared policy principles and potential priorities for the 2027 legislative session.

Royal Ballroom

Afternoon Recess

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Annual Fundraiser & Partner Reception

Convening in the Wildflower Atrium | 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

❋ Networking Reception

An evening reception open to Caucus members, staff, and supporters in downtown Austin.

An interactive live painting led by renowned Texas artist, Wiley Ross, capturing the memorable evening on canvas.

❋ Inaugural Live Auction

A premier auction experience for our guests, showcasing 4 paddle-worthy prize packages to support the Caucus’ mission and work ahead.

❋ Live Art Exhibition

From Cabanas & Coladas to the Texas Energy Cup, the retreat encourages bonding among members and appreciation of Texas’ hill country.

❋ Open bar, hor d’oevres and seated dinner

Day Two

Friday, August 28

Wildflower Atrium

7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast Buffet & Networking

Guests are invited to enjoy breakfast and informal conversation before the start of Day 2 programming.

Royal Ballroom

9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

Texas is emerging as a proving ground for the next generation of energy technologies, from carbon capture and storage to advanced nuclear, renewables, and grid-scale innovation. This featured conversation takes stock of where each stands today: what makes Texas uniquely positioned for their deployment, how they fit into an "all of the above" energy market, and how close technologies such as CCS and nuclear are to commercial scale.

Session 5: The State of the State on Innovative Energy Technologies

Moderated By: Representative Ryan Guillen (R, HD-31)

Panelists:

Dr. Rusty Towell, ACU Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing (NEXT) Lab
Abhinav Charan, Exxon
Judd Messer, Advanced Power Alliance

Session 6: Building the Grid Texas Needs: Transmission, Investment & Affordability

Royal Ballroom

9:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

As electricity demand grows, Texas must determine how to expand and strengthen its transmission system without placing unnecessary costs on consumers. Members will consider how infrastructure planning, utility incentives, financing approaches, and emerging technologies can support a more reliable and affordable grid.

Introduced By: Rep. Gary Gates (R, HD-28)

Speakers:

Beth Garza, R Street Institute
Mark Ellis, Market Clear
Barry Smitherman, Texans for Affordable Transmission

Discussion Leads:

Representative Jeff Barry (R, HD-29)
Representative Wes Virdell (R, HD-53)
Representative Erin Zwiener (D, HD-45)

Members will build on the retreat’s policy discussions to identify shared priorities, areas requiring additional development, and potential opportunities for legislative leadership during the 2027 session.

Where possible, the discussion will conclude with statements of direction, potential policy approaches, and members interested in helping advance the work.

Members - Only Executive Session

Royal Ballroom

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Texas Energy Cup: Table Tennis, Tacos & Tequila Social

Barton Creek Ballroom

12:00 - 2:30pm

Stay for a relaxed afternoon of tacos, Texas spirits, and friendly competition between members and guests as we crown the inaugural Energy Cup champion. Sign-ups for the table tennis tournament are open throughout the Retreat.