AFF Hosts Panel on ‘Markets and Environment’

September 17, 2013November 15, 2019 Sarah Bennett 1 Comment America's Future Foundation, Development, George W Bush Center, Media, Park Cities, Politics, SMU Cox School of Business

Panelists speak on energy and free markets at AFF's event. (Photo: NAME) — Panelists speak on energy and free markets at AFF’s event. (Photo: Ren Morrison)

Just one night before the George W. Bush Foundation hosted its all-day energy conference, America’s Future Foundation, a conservative young professionals group, hosted its own energy panel. “Markets, Energy, and the Environment” looked at how the free market can work hand-in-hand to create energy solutions.

Moderated by the Bush Center’s director of institute operations Michael McMahan, the panel consisted of three distinguished guests: Bruce Bullock, director of the Maguire Energy Institute at the SMU Cox School of Business; Dino Falaschetti, executive director of the Property and Environment Research Center; and Matthew Denhart, research fellow with the Bush Center’s 4% Growth Project.

“Texas is still a great model for great energy policy,” Bullock said, specifically invoking the Texas Railroad Commission.

Falaschetti argued that free markets work perfectly with “green” initiatives, because both seek to do more with less. Other topics included how moratoriums hurt economic growth, incentivizing communities, property rights, and foreign capital. Once the the panel opened up to a question-and-answer session with audience members, the ball really got rolling.

“This was a great one; I love the Q&A style,” board member Court Alley said following the interactive discussion.

America’s Future Foundation meets roughly once a month for engaging policy discussions over cocktails. Membership is $35 annually.