Lone Star Deep Dive

Lone Star Deep Dive

by Tonya Kleuskens

Government Politics

Season 1

Episode 8: Dr. Darryl Birkenfeld

On Episode 8 of the Lone Star Deep Dive Podcast, host Tonya Kleuskens talks with Darryl Birkenfeld Ph.D., Deputy Director, Ogallala Commons about the Darryl’s 30 plus years of experience with Ogallala Commons, the Stewarding Our Water Future Conference and featured speakers. After serving as Executive Director of Ogallala Commons for twenty years, Darryl Birkenfeld Ph.D., is currently the Ogallala Commons Deputy Director and Stewarding Natural Resources Program Coordinator. He liven in Nazareth, Texas with his wife Joann. DIVE DEEPER! Major grant support provided from the Tecovas Foundation. Learn more about Ogallala Commons. For access to complete recordings from the Stewarding Our Water Future Conference, March 2024, contact Darryl Birkenfeld at darryl@ogallalacommons.org.

Episode 7 Part 2: Dr. Ken Kramer

On Episode 7, (Part 2) of the Lone Star Deep Dive Podcast, host Tonya Kleuskens talks with Dr. Ken Kramer, Ph.D., a writer and Texas water policy specialist. Dr. Kramer currently serves as the “public” representative on the Region H Water Planning Group, which conducts water supply planning for the 15-county area that includes Houston. He is also an “environmental” representative on the stakeholder committees on environmental flows for both the Brazos River Basin and the Trinity & San Jacinto River Basins & Galveston Bay. Dr. Kramer is also a member of the board and Treasurer of the Texas Water Foundation. Dr. Kramer received a B.A. in History with a minor in Government from Texas Lutheran University in 1969. He was awarded an M.A. in Political Science from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1971 and then served in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso. He received his Ph.D.in Political Science in 1979 from Rice University. For 45 years Dr. Kramer was a volunteer or professional advocate for the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Texas state arm of the national environmental organization. He began his association with the Sierra Club as an elected member of the Chapter Executive Committee and as its volunteer Legislative Chair and Water Resources Chair. He then served for over seven years as a contract lobbyist for the Chapter at the Texas State Capitol in Austin. He became the first Director of the Lone Star Chapter in January 1989 and served in that capacity through July 2012. He then became the Chapter’s volunteer Water Resources Chair for over 0 years. Currently he serves as the volunteer History Chair for the Lone Star Chapter. DIVE DEEPER! For more information about the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Texas Water Foundation and the Texas Water Board visit their websites at https://www.sierraclub.org/texas https://www.texaswater.org https://www.twdb.texas.gov

Episode 7 Part 1: Dr. Ken Kramer

On Episode 7 (Part 1) of the Lone Star Deep Dive Podcast, host Tonya Kleuskens talks with Dr. Ken Kramer, Ph.D., a writer and Texas water policy specialist, about Water Planning in Texas, Texas water sheds environmental flow and much more. Doctor Kim Kramer, Ph.D., is a writer and Texas water policy specialist. He currently serves as the “public” representative on the Region H Water Planning Group which conducts water supply planning for the 15-county area that includes Houston. Dr. Kramer is also an “environmental” representative on the stakeholder committees on environmental flows for both the Brazos River Basin, the Trinity & San Jacinto River Basins, and Galveston Bay. In addition, he is a member of the board and treasurer of the Texas Water Foundation. Dr. Kramer received a B.A. in History with a minor in Government from Texas Lutheran University in 1969. He was awarded an M.A. in Political Science from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1971, and then served in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso. He received his PhD in political science in 1979 from Rice University. For 45 years Dr. Kramer was a volunteer or professional advocate for the Lone Star chapter of the Sierra Club. He began his association with the Sierra Club as an elected member of the Chapter Executive Committee and as it's volunteer Legislative Chair and Water Resources Chair. He then served for over 7 years as a contract lobbyist for the Chapter at the Texas State Capitol in Austin. He then became the first Director of the Lone Star Chapter in January 1989 and served in this capacity through July 2012. Upon his retirement as Director, he again became the Chapter’s volunteer water resources chair for over 10 years.” DIVE DEEPER! For more information about the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Texas Water Foundation and the Texas Water Board visit their websites at https://www.sierraclub.org/texas https://www.texaswater.org https://www.twdb.texas.gov

Episode 6: Caroline Petti & Leon Lowery

On Episode 6 of the Lone Star Deep Dive Podcast, host Tonya Kleuskens talks with Caroline Petti and Leon Lowery about the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 and how the search for a Nuclear Waste Repository was derailed by political agendas and poor nuclear waste siting decisions. In the amending of the NWPA December 22, 1982, Caroline and Leon advocated for the MRS-linkages - that is, the provisions of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act linking the Monitored Retrievable Storage (MRS) to an existing repository. It was this law that supported the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing for a site in Texas did not meet the conditions of the NWPA. Caroline Petti has had a lengthy career in the field of environmental protection, much of it devoted to protecting people and the planet from the hazards of radioactive waste. Ms. Petti grew up in Washington DC and began her career there in the early 1980s as an environmental lobbyist. She enthusiastically joined the conversation having been personally affected by poor nuclear waste siting decisions, focusing her efforts on long-term disposal best practices, science-based site selection process, strong environmental protections, and meaningful citizen engagement — and many of the fruits of her efforts were successfully incorporated into the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. Ms. Petti directed the task force which advocated a four-point plan of correction: a temporary program pause, establishment of an independent review commission, to determine how best to keep the program rightly focused on long-term disposal best practices, disapproval of the DOE's “Monitored Retrievable Storage” alternative, and increased funding for safe at reactor storage technologies. It was this advocacy that led to successful negotiations of the MRS-linkages - that is, the provisions of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act linking the MRS to the repository. Though many would have them repealed, the MRS linkages have stood the test of time and figured prominently in the Fifth Circuit’s recent rulings overturning Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing for nuclear waste storage in Andrews County, Texas, and in Lee County, New Mexico. In 1989, Ms. Petti went to work for the EPA. After nearly 20 years there, working to defend strong health standards for nuclear waste and clean air, Ms. Petti retired in 2007. She continues to be very active in civic and political affairs including being an active member of the DC League of Women Voters in the quest for DC statehood. Leon Lowery was born in Arab, AL. He was an army brat and grew up all over the US and the world. (Germany, Japan, and Turkey). After graduating from the University of Tennessee, he worked as a Carpenter around East Tennessee for a few years while pursuing a career playing music. In 1986 while he was living in Kingston, TN and raising a daughter, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced its intention to build a nuclear waste storage facility in nearby Oak Ridge. It was known as the Monitored Retrievable Storage facility or MRS. He became active in opposing this facility. Then formed the Southern Environmental Network with like-minded environmentalists from the southeast and joined Ms. Petti and the National Nuclear Waste Task Force, whose efforts culminated in the enactment of the MRS linkages described earlier. Mr. Lowry began to turn his attention to electricity and renewable energy issues, and in 1994, went to work for the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, Energy and Power Subcommittee. In 1995, he went to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as Assistant to the Director of the Office of Electric Power Regulation, and in 2000, he went to the US Senate, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Leon retired from the committee in 2013.

Episode 5 Part 2: Karen D Hadden

On Episode 5 (Part 1) of the Lone Star Deep Dive Podcast, host Tonya Kleuskens and Mark Nair talk with Karen D. Hadden about her work as the Executive Director of the Sustainable Energy & Economic Development (SEED) Coalition, which aims to prevent high-level nuclear waste from being stored above ground in Andrews County Texas. Karen D. Hadden is a former high school science teacher. She has a passion for clean air, water, and energy to protect public health and minimize climate impacts. As Executive Director of the Sustainable Energy & Economic Development (SEED) Coalition, she advocated for clean-up of coal plant pollution, especially toxic mercury. Together with Public Citizen, SEED fought 22 proposed Texas coal plants. When TXU’s eight proposed coal plants were simultaneously defeated, the news resounded globally. Then came proposals for new Texas nuclear reactors, the start of an attempted nuclear renaissance. SEED Coalition led successful efforts to defeat proposed nuclear reactors at South Texas Project and Comanche Peak. Karen worked with allies statewide to advocate for new solar plants instead. The successful "Solar Si, Nuclear No" campaign led to a 400 MW solar project commitment by San Antonio’s CPS Energy. SEED then worked to get Austin Energy to commit to 600 MW of solar power, helping boost the new Texas solar boom. Karen worked with Public Citizen, League of Women Voters of Texas and Fasken Oil and Ranch to fight a nuclear waste dump proposal; all but three Texas legislators supported a ban on high-level radioactive waste disposal, a rare bipartisan victory. SEED Coalition helped garner resolutions against this dangerous nuclear waste from numerous cities and counties, collectively representing over 5 million Texans, and participated in legal challenges. Strong decisions by the 5th Circuit Court in New Orleans were a big victory. The licenses for high-level radioactive waste dumps proposed for Texas and New Mexico were declared invalid, but the cases may yet go to the US Supreme Court. Karen loves spending time with family and friends, hiking, traveling and hearing live music whenever possible. DIVE DEEPER! For more information about the SEED Coalition, visit their website at nonuclearwaste.org.

Episode 5 Part 1: Karen D Hadden

On Episode 5 (Part 1) of the Lone Star Deep Dive Podcast, host Tonya Kleuskens and Mark Nair talk with Karen D. Hadden about her work as the Executive Director of the Sustainable Energy & Economic Development (SEED) Coalition, which aims to prevent high-level nuclear waste from being stored above ground in Andrews County Texas. Karen D. Hadden is a former high school science teacher. She has a passion for clean air, water, and energy to protect public health and minimize climate impacts. As Executive Director of the Sustainable Energy & Economic Development (SEED) Coalition, she advocated for clean-up of coal plant pollution, especially toxic mercury. Together with Public Citizen, SEED fought 22 proposed Texas coal plants. When TXU’s eight proposed coal plants were simultaneously defeated, the news resounded globally. Then came proposals for new Texas nuclear reactors, the start of an attempted nuclear renaissance. SEED Coalition led successful efforts to defeat proposed nuclear reactors at South Texas Project and Comanche Peak. Karen worked with allies statewide to advocate for new solar plants instead. The successful "Solar Si, Nuclear No" campaign led to a 400 MW solar project commitment by San Antonio’s CPS Energy. SEED then worked to get Austin Energy to commit to 600 MW of solar power, helping boost the new Texas solar boom. Karen worked with Public Citizen, League of Women Voters of Texas and Fasken Oil and Ranch to fight a nuclear waste dump proposal; all but three Texas legislators supported a ban on high-level radioactive waste disposal, a rare bipartisan victory. SEED Coalition helped garner resolutions against this dangerous nuclear waste from numerous cities and counties, collectively representing over 5 million Texans, and participated in legal challenges. Strong decisions by the 5th Circuit Court in New Orleans were a big victory. The licenses for high-level radioactive waste dumps proposed for Texas and New Mexico were declared invalid, but the cases may yet go to the US Supreme Court. Karen loves spending time with family and friends, hiking, traveling and hearing live music whenever possible. DIVE DEEPER! For more information about the SEED Coalition, visit their website at nonuclearwaste.org.

Episode 4 Part 2: Civics 101 with Katie Paul

On Episode 4 (Part 2) of the Lone Star Deep Dive Podcast, host Tonya Kleuskens talks with League of Women Voter’s of Amarillo member Katie Paul about as she provides an overview of the Civics 101 Program Slide Presentation. Claudia and Katie created Civics 101 to explain the functions of county, city, and state government, along with elections. The Civics 101 Program is available to Civic Groups and educational organizations. To request a program for your group contact the League of Women Voter’s Amarillo at amarillolwv@gmail.com. Claudia Stravato is currently a Political Science Adjunct Political Science Instructor – State & Local Government at West Texas A&M University, and a former Full-Time Faculty Political Science Instructor – State & Local Government. Claudia earned her Master of Science in Government and Economics, and Bachelor of Science in Government and Economics from West Texas State University and studied her Post Graduate Work in Higher Education at Texas Tech University. In her earlier career, Claudia worked for Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock - Texas Senate. She was also Chief of Staff for Bob Bullock’s Campaign for Lieutenant Governor, and Campaign Director for State Comptroller of Public Accounts, including having served as Regional Field Manager in the Texas Panhandle. Claudia’s list of achievements and honors is extensive and extraordinary. Katie Paul is a former city manager for the Villages of Lake Tanglewood and Timbercreek Canyon. She holds a bachelors and masters degree in History from West Texas A&M University and is a Certified Public Manager through Texas Tech University. She previously held a position at the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, assisting cities and counties in the Texas Panhandle with a variety of projects including infrastructure, historic rehabilitation, parks and recreation, municipal staff recruitment, and complex procurements. She currently works as the Plant Historian at Pantex. Katie is a volunteer with the League of Women Voters of Amarillo and the instructor for Civics 101.

Episode 4 Part 1: Civics 101 with Katie Paul & Claudia Stravato

On Eposide 4 (Part 1) of the Lone Star Deep Dive Podcast, host Tonya Kleuskens talks with League of Women Voter’s of Amarillo members, Claudia Stravato and Katie Paul about their Civics 101 Program. Claudia and Katie created Civics 101 to explain the functions of county, city, and state government, along with elections. To request the program for your group contact the League of Women Voter’s Amarillo at amarillolwv@gmail.com. Claudia Stravato is currently a Political Science Adjunct Political Science Instructor – State & Local Government at West Texas A&M University, and a former Full-Time Faculty Political Science Instructor – State & Local Government. Claudia earned her Master of Science in Government and Economics, and Bachelor of Science in Government and Economics from West Texas State University and studied her Post Graduate Work in Higher Education at Texas Tech University. In her earlier career, Claudia worked for Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock - Texas Senate. She was also Chief of Staff for Bob Bullock’s Campaign for Lieutenant Governor, and Campaign Director for State Comptroller of Public Accounts, including having served as Regional Field Manager in the Texas Panhandle. Claudia’s list of achievements and honors is extensive extraordinary. Katie Paul is a former city manager for the Villages of Lake Tanglewood and Timbercreek Canyon. She holds a bachelors and masters degree in History from West Texas A&M University and is a Certified Public Manager through Texas Tech University. She previously held a position at the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, assisting cities and counties in the Texas Panhandle with a variety of projects including infrastructure, historic rehabilitation, parks and recreation, municipal staff recruitment, and complex procurements. She currently works as the Plant Historian at Pantex. Katie is a volunteer with the League of Women Voters of Amarillo and the instructor for Civics 101.

Episode 3 Part 2: Dr. Craig Nazor

On Episode 3 (Part 2) of the Lone Star Deep Dive Podcast, host Tonya Kleuskens and co-host Mark Nair continue the conversation with Dr. Craig Nazor. Dr. Craig Nazor is originally from Ashtabula, Ohio, but has been a resident of Austin, Texas for 36 years. He has a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Texas at Austin, and he has composed, performed, and taught music for most of his life. However, he is also a dedicated environmentalist; that work began when he was in high school, living on the shores of Lake Erie. His past positions include President of a Louisiana Audubon Chapter, Education Director on the board of the Alexandria Zoo, and Horticulture Consultant for the Hartman Prehistoric Garden at Zilker Botanical Gardens in Austin, Texas. More recently, he has been very active on conservation issues with the Sierra Club, Austin Regional Group, and most recently, the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club. He is the current Conservation Chair of the Lone Star Chapter. In the spring of 2023, he assisted the State Sierra Club Conservation Director, Dr. Cyrus Reed, in lobbying at the Texas State Legislature for improvements to the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality, advocating for more state parks, speaking out against rapid Space X expansion in the Rio Grande Valley, defending the Sea Turtle Science and Recovery Program at Padre Island National Seashore, advocating for fixing the Texas electrical grid, supporting renewable fuels, defending Texas wildlife, protecting Texas water, and fighting Climate Change. DIVE DEEPER! Explore Wanted! Mountain Cedars by Elizabeth McGreevy. She explains in authoritative detail how we can reimagine the benefits of Mountain Cedars to our aquifers and valued springs. Why I Wrote a Book About Mountain Cedars by Elizabeth McGreevy - Hill Country Conservancy. Gov. Abbott Vetoes Energy Efficiency Building Codes Bill, Sierra Club. Check out the Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club. You will find 2024 endorsements, events and blog. Read more about the Grasslands Keystone Initiative. Find out more from the Texas Legislative Recap from the Sierra Club Lobby Team. Always your resource for voting information Vote411.org, the user-friendly database developed by the League to get answers fast. To do a deep dive of your own, learn more about what’s going on in Texas government.

Episode 3 Part 1: Dr. Craig Nazor

On Episode 3 (Part 1) of the Lone Star Deep Dive Podcast, host Tonya Kleuskens and co-host Mark Nair speak with Dr. Craig Nazor. Dr. Craig Nazor is originally from Ashtabula, Ohio, but has been a resident of Austin, Texas for 36 years. He has a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Texas at Austin, and he has composed, performed, and taught music for most of his life. However, he is also a dedicated environmentalist; that work began when he was in high school, living on the shores of Lake Erie. His past positions include President of a Louisiana Audubon Chapter, Education Director on the board of the Alexandria Zoo, and Horticulture Consultant for the Hartman Prehistoric Garden at Zilker Botanical Gardens in Austin, Texas. More recently, he has been very active on conservation issues with the Sierra Club, Austin Regional Group, and most recently, the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club. He is the current Conservation Chair of the Lone Star Chapter. In the spring of 2023, he assisted the State Sierra Club Conservation Director, Dr. Cyrus Reed, in lobbying at the Texas State Legislature for improvements to the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality, advocating for more state parks, speaking out against rapid Space X expansion in the Rio Grande Valley, defending the Sea Turtle Science and Recovery Program at Padre Island National Seashore, advocating for fixing the Texas electrical grid, supporting renewable fuels, defending Texas wildlife, protecting Texas water, and fighting Climate Change. DIVE DEEPER! Explore Wanted! Mountain Cedars by Elizabeth McGreevy. She explains in authoritative detail how we can reimagine the benefits of Mountain Cedars to our aquifers and valued springs. Why I Wrote a Book About Mountain Cedars by Elizabeth McGreevy - Hill Country Conservancy. Gov. Abbott Vetoes Energy Efficiency Building Codes Bill, Sierra Club. Check out the Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club. You will find 2024 endorsements, events and blog. Read more about the Grasslands Keystone Initiative. Find out more from the Texas Legislative Recap from the Sierra Club Lobby Team. Always your resource for voting information: Vote411.org, the user-friendly database developed by the League to get answers fast. To do a deep dive of your own, learn more about what’s going on in Texas government.

5 of 6