Jun. 05, 2025
James Cargas, Esq.
Green Energy Law LLC http://www.GreenEnergy.Law
About The Lecturer
James Cargas has dedicated his life and professional career to implementing smart, sustainable, affordable, and renewable energy. Green Energy Law LLC reflects his persistence and commitment through its smart energy advice and creation of sustainable solutions for its public and private clients.
Making Houston the No. 1 Green City:
Before founding Green Energy Law LLC, James was the Senior Assistant City Attorney for Energy at the City of Houston. Mayor Bill White hired him in 2008 as the City’s energy counsel responsible for all aspects of energy as well as some environmental, real estate, regulatory, and transactional matters. Some notable projects included weatherization of over 13,000 low and moderate-income homes, installing 120 electric vehicle charging stations at public facilities, implementing energy efficiency projects at City facilities, and negotiating lower cost electricity, natural gas, and fuel purchases.
While serving Mayor Annise Parker, James negotiated an innovative three-party, twenty-year, 50-megawatt solar power purchase agreement. He also served Mayor Sylvester Turner, and earned Houston the #8 spot on EPA’s list of top 100 list of green power users and #1 spot for municipal green power purchasers. During his eleven-year tenure, as Houston grew in population and demands, James reduced Houston’s annual electricity budget from $120M to $90M, while increasing its green energy use to 95%.
Early Career:
James graduated from the University of Michigan in 1988 and served Michigan Congressman David E. Bonior as Deputy Press Secretary. In 1992, he graduated from The American University’s Washington College of Law where he was President of the Environmental Law Society, and Articles Editor on its international law journal.
During law school, he worked in the Solicitor’s Office at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In the summer of 1992, he participated in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Developments in Rio de Janeiro – the first Earth Summit. James subsequently held positions in a large DC law firm and as environmental counsel to a major interstate pipeline company.
Politics & Policy:
In 1998, he left the private sector to join the Clinton-Gore White House at the President’s Council on Sustainable Development. He subsequently served Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson and former Public Utility Commission of Texas Chair, Bob Gee, at the US Department of Energy. When the 22nd Amendment kicked-in, James moved to the nation’s Energy Capital to become Deputy Director of the North American Energy Standards Board. He subsequently became a member of the NAESB board.
Green Energy Law LLC:
With Green Energy Law, James Cargas leverages decades of public service at the federal and municipal levels, as well as his many years in the private sector to bring smart, affordable, and measurable clean energy and sustainability to the firm’s clients in the private and public sectors.
This is a solutions-focused transactional law firm that aims to bring parties together on climate-sensitive projects. Some notable clients include Sunnyside Energy LLC and its 50 MW solar farm to be located on a former Houston landfill, and Texas PACE Authority, which serves 104+ local governments across Texas implementing their energy and water efficiency, and onsite generation improvements for commercial, industrial, and nonprofit property owners.
James is a member of the State Bar of Texas, West Virginia State Bar, State Bar of Michigan, District of Columbia Bar (inactive), and the Supreme Court of the United States Bar.
Practice Area(s)
Environmental Law
Public Interest
Education
J.D., American University Washington College of Law
A.B., University of Michigan
