2014 TribuneFest: Audio From the Energy Track

The energy track at the 2014 Texas Tribune Festival featured panel discussions on the state of the electric grid, what Mexican energy reform means for Texas, hydraulic fracturing and a closer look at the state's drilling boom. Listen to audio of session here:

The "State of the Grid" panel, moderated by Texas Tribune Reporter Jim Malewitz, got things started. Panelists included CPS Energy President Doyle Beneby, U.S. Rep. Gene Green, Environmental Defense Fund Vice President James Marston, Texas Public Utility Commissioner Brandy Marty and Texas Railroad Commissioner Barry Smitherman.

Next up was the "What Mexican Energy Reform Means for Texas" panel, moderated by Jorge Piñon, interim director of the Center for International Energy and Environment Policy. Featured were Democratic U.S. Senate Nominee David Alameel, St. Augustine Capital Partners Founding Partner Malachi Boyuls, Mexican Congressman Javier Treviño Cantú, Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Antonio Garza, state Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa and CEMEX Senior Vice President Luis Farías Martínez.

Tribune Reporter Jim Malewitz also moderated the "Fracas Over Fracking" panel. Speakers included Democratic Railroad Commissioner Nominee Steve Brown, Barnett Shale Energy Education Council Executive Director Ed Ireland, Republican Railroad Commissioner Nominee Ryan Sitton, Denton Mayor Chris Watts and Energy Institute Deputy Director Michael Webber.

The track's final panel, "Deconstructing the Boom," was moderated by Wall Street Journal Senior Energy Reporter Russell Gold. Speakers included Democratic State Comptroller Nominee Mike Collier, Railroad Commission Chairman Christi Craddick, U.S. Reps. Blake Farenthold and Bill Flores, state Rep. Jim Keffer and state Sen. Carlos Uresti.