Offshore Wind: The future of Green Energy
Offshore wind energy generation is quickly becoming a major industry. The benefits of the clean energy are clear but what will it take to make a substantial dent in our power generation? What will it mean for those of us outside of the industry? What will it cost? We’ll learn about offshore wind from the environmental and industry perspectives and what it will mean for Texas.
Luke Metzger
Environment Texas
As the executive director of Environment Texas, Luke Metzger is a leading voice in the state for clean air, clean water, clean energy, and open space. Luke has led successful campaigns to win permanent protection for the Christmas Mountains of Big Bend; to compel Exxon, Shell, and Chevron Phillips to cut air pollution at four Texas refineries and chemical plants; and to boost funding for water conservation and state parks. The San Antonio Current has called Luke “long one of the most energetic and dedicated defenders of environmental issues in the state.” He has been named one of the “Top Lobbyists for Causes” by Capitol Inside, received the President’s Award from the Texas Recreation and Parks Society for his work to protect Texas parks, and was chosen for the inaugural class of “Next Generation Fellows” by the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law at UT Austin. Luke, his wife, son, and daughters are working to visit every state park in Texas.
Helen Rose Patterson
National Wildlife Federation
As the Senior Campaign Manager with National Wildlife Federation’s Offshore Wind Energy program, Helen Rose Patterson recruits and mobilizes stakeholders, educates the public, and manages coalition efforts to advance offshore wind energy with robust protections for wildlife. Her passion is making complex permitting processes clear and accessible to the communities impacted by them. Helen Rose has worked at National Wildlife Federation since 2015, and prior to joining the Offshore Wind Energy team, she supported efforts to advance large-scale coastal restoration in Louisiana.
Helen Rose grew up in Mississippi and studied cultural ecology at Bennington College in Vermont. She was an environmental education volunteer in Peace Corps Morocco, and now makes her home in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is especially excited to see offshore wind energy come to fruition in the Gulf of Mexico.
David King
Gulf Wind Technology
David King is an engineer and entrepreneur. He is co-founder and CTO of Gulf Wind Technology, wind turbine innovator, and a composite designer. He has designed wind turbine blades deployed in China, India, Europe, and North America.
David grew up in South Texas working on and flying in general aviation aircraft. Flying sparked his interest in composites and the power of air. He has co-founded Gulf Wind Technology with the mission of growing and catalyzing the offshore wind energy industry for the Gulf south. At Gulf Wind Technology he strives to develop the collaboration across industry required to bring about innovative solutions that will unlock the green electron for the gulf coast.