ERCOT Chief to Speak at MSU

Texas has it all - a growing population, a growing economy, searing summer heat, cold windswept days, and its own electrical grid. There are only three grids in the entire continental U.S., and one of them serves only Texas. As president and CEO of that grid, it's Bill Magness' job to keep it energized 24/7/365 so that whenever you want to charge your cell phone or use your air conditioner, you can.

Magness will speak at Midwestern State University at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, in Dillard 101 as part of the Dillard Energy Center Distinguished Speaker Series. Magness will speak about how the Texas grid successfully includes the use of renewable energy (wind and solar) with the ever-reliable and abundant base of fossil fuels to power the state. His presentation, "Your One-Stop Shop for Cell Phone Charging and Air Conditioned Everything: ERCOT & the Texas Power Grid," will explain how he keeps the lights on in Texas today and into the future.

After more than five years as its general counsel, Magness became president and chief executive officer of ERCOT (the Energy Reliability Council of Texas) in January 2016. He has been in the utility business for 25 years, working with electric and telecommunications companies nationwide. He held executive management positions in the public and private sectors, and served as lead counsel in regulatory cases before utility commissions in 16 states. Early in his career, Magness served as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's office.

Magness grew up in Orange, Texas, earned his bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He is the father of two daughters.

The 3:30 p.m. session is primarily for the campus community. The 7 p.m. session is for the community at large as well as the campus community. Admission is free. For information contact Jeff Stambaugh at jeff.stambaugh@msutexas.edu or 940-397-4634.