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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

In this episode, we dive into the world of mining, minerals, and materials and explore the critical role they play in the evolving energy system. With the rapid increase in demand for new energy technologies, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles, the need for essential minerals and materials is rising significantly. But with this growing demand comes a host of challenges — including supply chain constraints, environmental impacts, and economic and national security concerns.

Michelle Michot Foss, fellow in energy, minerals, and materials, joins Ken Medlock, senior director of the Center for Energy Studies, to discuss the complexities of sourcing, refining, and managing these resources and what it all means for the future of energy.

This conversation was recorded on Oct. 24, 2024.

Discussants

Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ph.D.
James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics; Senior Director, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute

Michelle Michot Foss, Ph.D.
Fellow in Energy, Minerals, and Materials, Baker Institute