San Antonio’s CPS Energy should pick CEO who will go solar

CPS Energy is hiring a new CEO – they should pick a leader to help them go solar. Under the leadership of the past CEO, Doyle Beneby, San Antonio’s municipally owned utility has made great strides to expand the use of renewable energy. But his departure leaves CPS’ solar future unclear. Now momentum is growing for a new "green" hire. 

CPS Energy is hiring a new CEO – they should pick a leader to help them go solar.

Under the leadership of the past CEO, Doyle Beneby, San Antonio’s municipally owned utility has made great strides to expand the use of renewable energy. But his departure leaves CPS’ solar future unclear. Now momentum is growing for a new “green” hire. 

Last Thursday, two dozen environmental, business, faith and civic leaders wrote the CPS Board of Trustees urging them to hire a replacement who will make solar the centerpiece of San Antonio’s energy future. Then, on Saturday, the San Antonio Express-News editorialized “a dynamo in renewable energy to push innovation at CPS Energy…is the essential factor in CPS Energy’s ongoing search for a new chief executive officer.”

San Antonio has been the state leader in solar for a few years, but with the Austin city council approving contracts for another 450 megawatts of solar, the Alamo City risks slipping behind. Hiring a CEO who will go big on solar can help ensure San Antonio remains a leader and takes advantage of all the clean air and local economic development solar provides.  

Authors

Luke Metzger

Executive Director, Environment Texas

As the executive director of Environment Texas, Luke is a leading voice in the state for clean air and water, parks and wildlife, and a livable climate. Luke recently led the successful campaign to get the Texas Legislature and voters to invest $1 billion to buy land for new state parks. He also helped win permanent protection for the Christmas Mountains of Big Bend; helped compel Exxon, Shell and Chevron Phillips to cut air pollution at four Texas refineries and chemical plants; and got the Austin and Houston school districts to install filters on water fountains to protect children from lead in drinking water. The San Antonio Current has called Luke "long one of the most energetic and dedicated defenders of environmental issues in the state." He has been named one of the "Top Lobbyists for Causes" by Capitol Inside, received the President's Award from the Texas Recreation and Parks Society for his work to protect Texas parks. He is a board member of the Clean Air Force of Central Texas and an advisory board member of the Texas Tech University Masters of Public Administration program. Luke, his wife, son and daughters are working to visit every state park in Texas.