Stay Informed

By Marty Toohey

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

As a member of the Austin City Council, Brewster McCracken organized a coalition of big businesses, academics and government officials to test clean-energy technology, an effort that would morph after 18 months into the Pecan Street Project.

On Tuesday, after months of deliberation and concerns about eligibility, Pecan Street’s board of directors named McCracken executive director.

“We thought Brewster had the best combination of basic technical knowledge, vision about where the project needs to go, and public relations and political skills,” said Jim Martson , a board member.

McCracken will be managing a $10.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to test clean-energy technologies in Austin’s Mueller redevelopment.

McCracken, who left the council after losing a bid for mayor in May, also will be raising money and prioritizing ideas Pecan Street hopes to unveil in January.

“Our fundamental mission is to test and develop systems to make renewable energy work as well and cost-effectively as conventionally generated electricity,” McCracken said.

When Pecan Street attained 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in August, the city’s legal department determined that McCracken would violate a city lobbying rule he wrote by serving as executive director. In many instances, former council members cannot lobby the city for one year after they leave office.

After Pecan Street officials clarified that the director’s role will not include asking the city for money, the city determined McCracken could take the job without violating the lobbying ban.

mtoohey@statesman.com; 445-3673

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