James Cargas has dedicated his life and professional legal career to implementing smart, sustainable, affordable, and renewable energy.
Prior to founding the Grenn Energy Law firm, James was a public servant at the City of Houston’s City Attorney’s Office, U.S. Department of Energy, Clinton-Gore White House, U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and U.S. Congress. When James ran for Congress in 2012, 2014, and 2016 in Houston’s Energy Corridor, he earned the Chronicle’s endorsement each time.
His career also includes experience in the private sector at a large DC law firm, a major interstate pipeline company, the North American Energy Standards Board, and an energy consultant. James is a graduate of the University of Michigan and The American University’s Washington College of Law.
He is admitted to practice law in Texas, Washington DC, Michigan, West Virginia, and the United States Supreme Court.
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 the creation of sustainable solutions for its public and commercial clients.
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. During the Recession, James facilitated the weatherization of over 13,000 low and moderate-income homes resulting in each family realizing a $60 to $125 in monthly energy savings.
He also located 120 “shovel ready” electric vehicle charging stations at libraries, parks, garages and other public locations. He saved taxpayers millions with energy efficiency projects at City facilities, and by negotiating lower cost energy purchases.
While serving Mayor Annise Parker, James negotiated an innovative three-party, twenty-year, 50-megawatt solar power purchase agreement. More recently, he served Mayor Sylvester Turner, where he 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 in the US. 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 power to 95%.
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 served as President of the Environmental Law Society, and was Article Editor on the 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.
In 1998, he left the private sector to join the Clinton-Gore White House at the President’s Council on Sustainable Development.
He finished out the Administration’s term serving 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.
James was later elected the Democratic candidate for US Congress in Texas’ Seventh Congressional District in 2012, 2014 and 2016. He was endorsed by the Houston Chronicle each time. Had he been successful in the general elections, he would have served Houston’s Energy Corridor and its thousands of talented professionals.
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.
James’ commitment to our community includes serving as Vice President of the American Hellenic Education Progressive Association (AHEPA) Chapter No. 29, Treasurer of AHEPA District 16, Fellow at the Texas Bar Foundation, and Treasurer of the Energy and Environmental Democrats. He is the former President of the Energy Bar Association’s Houston Chapter and former Citizens’ Environmental Coalition board member.
This firm is not intimidated by seemingly impossible challenges or opponents
Every day we prove economic, environmental, and equitable benefits co-exist if done wisely and with good counsel. We aim to bring parties together on climate-sensitive projects
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