The Texas Clean Energy Coalition (TCEC) named former state Rep. Dan Branch of Dallas as its new chairman. He becomes only the second chairman in TCEC's nine-year history and brings decades of legislative and public policy experience to the position.

"It's an honor to lead TCEC into its second decade," Branch said. "As our state and nation cope with a global pandemic, we recognize that Texas-produced clean energy has an important role to play in putting Texans back to work and creating a better tomorrow. By continuing the market-driven transition to clean energy that was started by conservative leaders like former Texas Governors George W. Bush and Rick Perry, Texas can lead the way with homegrown wind, solar and natural gas power that creates prosperity and keeps electric rates low for consumers while reducing emissions." 

During his time in the Texas House of Representatives, Branch helped advance landmark energy and electricity legislation, including laws that restructured the state electricity market, encouraged market competition and low-emissions energy production, improved statewide air quality and incentivized efficient energy consumption.

Branch served on numerous committees, including as chairman of the House Committee on Higher Education, and as a member of the House Appropriations, Public Education, Elections, Pensions and Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committees, co-Chairman of the Dallas Area Delegation and as a member of the Legislative Budget Board. He currently serves as an attorney and shareholder of Winstead PC and is based in the law firm's Dallas and Austin offices. In addition, Branch chairs the board of the John Tower Center for Public Policy and International Affairs at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

"We are truly honored that a thoughtful conservative leader of Dan Branch's stature has chosen to join TCEC as chairman at this critical time," said TCEC Executive Director Elizabeth Lippincott said. "During his time in the Texas Legislature, Dan made a strong name for himself as an effective problem solver who successfully tackled important and complex issues. His experience in the public and private sectors will be a tremendous asset to our organization as we help state leaders plan for a robust post-COVID energy industry that embraces clean energy innovations like distributed energy resources, energy storage and new electric grid technologies." 

"Chairman Branch gets the importance of a market-oriented approach to clean energy policy, and he will be a great chairman for TCEC," said Becky Klein, who served on the Public Utility Commission of Texas from 2001-04 and chaired the Commission from 2002-04. "Dan understands we need actionable solutions to our energy future. With Chairman Branch at the helm, TCEC will continue to champion the market-driven transition to cleaner energy that has made Texas a global leader in the 21^st Century economy." 

Founded in 2011, TCEC advances market-driven policies and solutions that strengthen our state's economy, promote Texas' continued national and global leadership in energy innovation, and ensures clean and affordable energy and water for all Texans.

Texas Clean Energy Coalition | www.texascleanenergy.org