The Energy Forum

11: Can Hospitals Be Sustainable? Rethinking Plastics in Health Care

The health care sector produces a significant amount of plastic waste, much of it non-contaminated and potentially recyclable. In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Rachel Meidl, deputy director of the Center for Energy Studies and fellow in energy and sustainability, speaks with Peylina Chu, steering committee chair at the CPHI Sustainability Collective and former executive director of the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council, about opportunities for the industry to advance sustainability while maintaining patient safety.   They discuss the challenges of recycling medical plastics, the potential of advanced technologies, and how petrochemical companies can help drive progress toward a more circular economy.   Featured guest: Peylina Chu, https://www.cphi.com/en/about/about/sustainability-collective.html This conversation was recorded on June 26, 2025. Follow Rachel Meidl, LP.D., CHMM on X (@MeidlRachel) and LinkedIn. You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

10: Texas Grid Evolution and Its Intersection with Hurricanes, Demand Growth, and Resilience

In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Ken Medlock sits down with Julie Cohn, a Center for Energy Studies (CES) nonresident scholar and research historian, and Miaomiao Rimmer, CES research manager, to explore how the Texas electric grid is adapting to compounding risks from storms, demand growth, and new technologies. They trace the evolution of ERCOT, unpack the dynamics of solar inverters and grid stability, and introduce a new CES dashboard that visualizes 75 years of disaster exposure alongside population growth and critical energy infrastructure. Key topics include: Why the Texas grid is an island — and why it matters. Dealing with grid disturbances like those that surfaced in Odessa, Texas, in 2021 and on the Iberian Peninsula earlier this year. Reconciling planning assumptions and regulations with rising demand. The CES “Natural Disaster Resilience” dashboard and understanding the evolution of risk. Explore the dashboard: https://www.bakerinstitute.org/ces-data-and-research-visualizations. Featured: Julie Cohn, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/julie-cohn  Miaomiao Rimmer, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/miaomiao-rimmer Ken Medlock, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/kenneth-b-medlock-iii This conversation was recorded on June 18, 2025. Follow Ken Medlock, Ph.D., on X (@Ken_Medlock) and LinkedIn. You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

9: The Israel-Iran Conflict and Oil Market Uncertainty

Conflict in the Middle East is shaking the global oil market. In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Abhi Rajendran, a nonresident fellow at the Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies and director of research and advisory at Energy Intelligence, speaks with Skip York, a Center for Energy Studies nonresident fellow and expert in global market dynamics and upstream strategy, about how escalating geopolitical risk has elevated concerns about global oil supply and is driving oil price volatility. Together, they discuss this and more to facilitate a better understanding of a very dynamic market. Topics include: What recent Israel-Iran escalations mean for global oil flows. How markets are pricing risk and uncertainty. OPEC+ policy moves and whether more barrels will materialize. Why U.S. shale supply may have plateaued. The evolving shape of China’s oil demand. What oil prices might look like in late 2025 and into 2026. This conversation was recorded on June 16, 2025. You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

8: The Future of Critical Minerals and Materials

This episode of “The Energy Forum” takes a deep dive into critical minerals and materials geoeconomics, a space where national security, industrial policy, and global competition intersect.   Featuring Michelle Michot Foss, Baker Institute fellow in energy, minerals, and materials; Gabriel Collins, the institute’s Baker Botts Fellow in Energy and Environmental Regulatory Affairs; and Vinod Veedu, assistant vice president of Rice University’s Office of Research, the conversation builds on a new Baker Institute report exploring how past wars and strategic competitions can inform today’s mineral supply chain challenges.   Read the report here: https://www.bakerinstitute.org/critical-minerals-materials-geoeconomics-2025-report   This episode was recorded on April 1, 2025.

7: The Challenges and Opportunities of Medical Plastic Waste Management

Medical plastic waste is a growing environmental and public health concern, yet only a small percentage is recycled, with the majority ending up in landfills or incinerators. In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Rachel Meidl, Center for Energy Studies deputy director and fellow in energy and sustainability at the Baker Institute, sits down with Linette Leadon, director of environmental health and safety at MD Anderson, to explore the complexities of medical plastic waste management. They discuss regulatory challenges, innovative solutions, and the need for systemic change to create a more sustainable and resilient health care system. Tune in for a critical conversation on the intersection of health care, waste management, and sustainability.

6: The Role of Ammonia in the Future of Fuels

Can ammonia be the next big fuel for transportation? In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Ed Emmett sits down with Joel Moser, chief executive officer of First Ammonia LLC, to explore the potential of ammonia as a scalable, low-carbon energy source. They discuss the technology behind ammonia fuel, its advantages over other alternatives, and the hurdles that must be overcome for widespread adoption. With industries looking for cleaner fuel solutions, could ammonia be a key player in the future of shipping, heavy transport, and beyond? Tune in for an insightful conversation on the road ahead for ammonia in the energy transition. This episode was recorded on Feb. 13, 2025.

5: Exploring the Future of the Middle East Energy Transition (Part 2)

In Part 2 of their two-part discussion, Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies experts Jim Krane, Osamah Alsayegh, and Salem Alhajraf continue to explore the evolving energy landscape of the Middle East. They further examine the region’s approach to balancing economic growth with environmental priorities, assess OPEC’s evolving role in global energy markets, and explore the long-term economic and policy implications of Kuwait’s heavily subsidized electricity.   This episode was recorded on Jan. 24, 2024. Discussants Salem Alhajraf, Ph.D. Visiting Research Scholar, Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies Osamah Alsayegh, Ph.D. Nonresident Fellow, Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies Jim Krane, Ph.D. Diana Tamari Sabbagh Fellow in Middle East Energy Studies, Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies

4: Exploring the Future of the Middle East Energy Transition (Part 1)

In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies experts Jim Krane, Osamah Alsayegh, and Salem Alhajraf explore the dynamic energy landscape of the Middle East. Together, they examine how the region balances economic growth with environmental priorities, the influence of OPEC on global energy markets, and the economic impacts of Kuwait’s heavily subsidized electricity. This episode is Part 1 of a two-part discussion.   This episode was recorded on Jan. 24, 2024. Discussants Salem Alhajraf, Ph.D. Visiting Research Scholar, Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies Osamah Alsayegh, Ph.D. Nonresident Fellow, Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies Jim Krane, Ph.D. Diana Tamari Sabbagh Fellow in Middle East Energy Studies, Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies

3: Securing Texas’ Future Through Smart Water Investments

In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” we delve into a pivotal report authored by Gabriel Collins, Baker Botts Fellow in Energy and Environmental Regulatory Affairs at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, and commissioned by Texas 2036. The study outlines the immense economic risks posed by prolonged droughts and emphasizes the critical need for strategic investments in water infrastructure to protect Texas’ $2.5 trillion economy. Join host Gabriel Collins as he engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Jeremy Mazur, director of infrastructure and natural resources policy at Texas 2036. Together, they explore the economic stakes, the cost of inaction, and opportunities to build a more resilient and sustainable future for Texas. Tune in to learn more about how targeted water infrastructure investments can secure the state's economic prosperity and set a global standard for drought resilience. This episode was recorded on Dec. 16, 2024.  Discussants Gabriel Collins, J.D. Baker Botts Fellow in Energy and Environmental Regulatory Affairs, Baker Institute Jeremy Mazur Director of Infrastructure and Natural Resources Policy, Texas 2036

2: The Future of Fuels

In this episode of The Energy Forum, we tackle the future of fuel in two essential sectors of the global economy: trucking and air transport. These industries are vital for moving goods and people worldwide but also have high fuel demands and significant emissions. As climate goals and regulatory pressures intensify, how are these sectors evolving to meet the demand for greener, more sustainable energy? Join host Ed Emmett, fellow in energy and transportation policy at Rice University's Baker Institute, as he dives into this timely discussion with Peter Zonneveld, president of Neste US, a leader in renewable fuels. Tune in to learn how the trucking and air travel industries are preparing to power their engines sustainably and the pivotal role renewable fuels could play in the transition to a lower-carbon world. This episode was recorded on Nov. 14, 2024. Discussants Ed Emmett Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute Peter Zonneveld President, Neste US