Michael D. Burke, chair and founder of the San Antonio Clean Technology Forum, willl speak about renewable energy options on Oct. 15.
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Michael D. Burke, former chief executive officer of Tesoro Corp., and chair and founder of the San Antonio Clean Technology Forum, will discuss “Energy Myths and Challenges: Clear Solutions and the Need to Act Now” on Wednesday, Oct. 15, on the UT Health Science Center San Antonio campus.

Faculty, staff and students are invited to hear Burke, the guest speaker of the Health Science Center's Association of Retired Faculty and Associates. Mr. Burke will speak at noon in the Academic and Administration Building, rooms 108, 110 and112. Light refreshments will be served.

Burke founded alternative energy think tank
“I will attempt to clear up some misunderstandings about energy and clean technology and will focus on some initiatives that are critically important to our region’s future,” Burke said.

Burke founded the San Antonio Clean Technology Forum in March after becoming intrigued with new ideas in energy production. He set aside his work as a venture capitalist to launch the forum, a think tank meant to facilitate discussion and community action on incorporating renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Burke wants San Antonio to lead clean energy efforts
Burke said that San Antonio is lagging behind other cities’ forward-thinking efforts, despite its location in Texas, which is ranked No. 1 in the nation for both wind and solar energy potential.

“I feel that we are not doing enough to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy resources in San Antonio and it is time to move forward with this agenda. We can become a national leader in these areas,” Burke said.

“The continued security and economic health of our region depends on a sustainable supply of both energy and water. These two critical resources are inextricably and reciprocally linked; the production of energy requires large volumes of water while the treatment and distribution of water is equally dependent upon readily available, low-cost energy. Our region’s ability to continue providing both clean, affordable energy and water is being seriously challenged by a number of emerging issues.”

Forum focuses on economic development, quality of life issues
The vision of the San Antonio Clean Technology Forum is to serve as a catalyst to significantly contribute to the region’s economic development and quality of life via the advancement of energy efficiency practices and clean energy investments.

To RSVP for this event, please contact Jacquelyn Pfeiffer, (210) 567-9218