Texas A&M University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

As a state entity, there are statutory limitations regarding state and federal advocacy activities at Texas A&M. Nonetheless, Texas A&M is a long-standing leader in the discussion and engagement regarding sustainability at the state and federal level. This epitomizes the Land-grant university obligation to take scientific discovery to citizens through practical use. Thus, the engagement is providing science-based solutions to public problems as defined by policy makers. Texas A&M faculty help comprise the campus-based Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL). ESL is a division of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station and a member of the Texas A&M University System. The ESL is affiliated with the Energy Systems Group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (five faculty), as well as faculty from the Department of Architecture in the College of Architecture. The ESL was assigned an important role by state officials in the implementation of state energy standards and assistance with calculation of emissions reduction benefits from energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives as part of the Texas Emissions Reduction Program (TERP). During the most recent Texas legislative session, A&M faculty, through the ESL, participated in weekly meetings during the Texas Legislative session regarding energy efficiency and sustainability legislation and served as the scientific resource for this group of sustainability-related interests. Specifically, Texas A&M faculty served as resource witnesses for legislation that eventually became law. Specifically, the ESL and faculty engaged with policy makers on a comprehensive emissions reduction plan. The legislation modified the New Technology Implementation Grant program, Texas Clean Fleet program, and Texas Natural Gas Vehicle program, among others. The ESL and A&M faculty are charged with working with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality “for computation of creditable statewide emissions reductions” in the programs noted above as well placing a priority on programs to address the reduction of certain emissions related to operation of drilling, production, completions, etc. related to oil and gas production. On the federal level, Texas A&M seeks opportunities for increased funding for energy research in the Department of Energy (DOE) including the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Office of Science, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and the Biomass Program, as well as through DOE programs such as the Innovation Hubs, and Energy Frontier Research Centers. Texas A&M is also engaged in energy efficiency and related research efforts ongoing in DOE and other agencies (e.g. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Interior, and National Science Foundation). As an example, Texas A&M has an NSF funded project to significantly alleviate the skyrocketing energy consumption associated with data centers by leveraging available technology. In addition, Texas A&M actively engages with the congressional committees that authorize and appropriate funding for research related to energy and sustainability. Active engagement has occurred with House Appropriations; House Energy and Commerce; House Science, Space, and Technology Committees. Texas A&M researchers served as a resource to the committees as they craft policy by reviewing draft legislation and serving as witnesses for Congressional hearings on topics ranging from droughts to fracking.

As noted above, Texas A&M is prohibited by the legislature and governing board policy from taking “political positions” on legislation or political candidates. Engagement regarding sustainability in the public arena occurs as an object science based resource for public policy makers.

Not applicable since Texas A&M University is a public university.