Energy Policy Advisory Council

The Energy Policy Advisory Council (EPAC) brings together leading researchers and practitioners from top energy institutes, universities, and research institutions across Texas.

The Goal?

To offer a well-researched, in-depth perspective on Texas’ energy landscape to legislators and staff, while delivering evidence-based facts on emerging technologies and solutions.

Our EPAC Advisors are involved across our programs. They primarily work to engage with legislators and offer their expertise, they also provide knowledge and insight to our Energy Fellows, train legislative staff via our Energy Academy, and speak & participate in our Innovation Forums and Tours.

Each Advisory Council members' expertise and bios can be found below.

Dr. Abdul Djire

Texas A&M University
Energy storage, Batteries, Hydrogen, CO² conversion

Read Bio
Dr. Rusty Towell

Abilene Christian University
Advanced nuclear energy

Read Bio
Dr. Joshua D. Rhodes

University of Texas at Austin
Electric grid, Energy storage, Energy efficiency, Hydrogen

Read Bio
Dr. Erick C. Jones Jr.

University of Texas at Arlington
Energy systems modeling, Building & infrastructure, Supply chains

Read Bio
Dr. Margaret Cook

Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC)
Energy-water-climate nexus

Read Bio
Dr. Daniel Cohan

Rice University
Air quality management, Energy systems modeling, Climate change mitigation

Read Bio
Dr. Emily Beagle

University of Texas at Austin
Hydrogen, Bioenergy, Energy systems, Decarbonization

Read Bio
Dr. Tip A. Meckel

Bureau of Economic Geology
Carbon capture & storage (CCS)

Read Bio
Dr. Bobuchi Ken-Opurum,

Building Electrification Institute
Energy equity, Climate resilience & adaptation, Energy efficiency

Read Bio
Dr. Ken W. Wisian

Bureau of Economic Geology
Geothermal energy research and solutions

Read Bio
Dr. Arvind P. Ravikumar

University of Texas at Austin
Methane emissions measurement & accounting, Energy systems analysis

Read Bio
Dr. Suhas Pol

Texas Tech University
Renewable energy, Data-centric innovation, Workforce development

Read Bio