Texas

Emphasizes importance of science, technology, engineering and math education

November 16, 2009 --
DALLAS – Texas Governor Rick Perry today was joined by Texas Workforce commissioners Andres Alcantar and Ronnie Congleton, Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott and business leaders to announce a $1 million investment from the Texas Workforce Commission to expand statewide student participation in robotics education programs.

The governor emphasized the importance of preparing young Texans to work in an increasingly competitive global economy by promoting programs that integrate science, technology, engineering and math into Texas classrooms.    » read more »

ATLANTA, Nov. 10 -- Southern Power, the Southern Company subsidiary that acquires, builds, manages and owns wholesale generation assets, today took a major step in building one of the nation's largest biomass-fueled projects with a groundbreaking ceremony in Sacul, Texas.

"Southern Company continues to develop and deploy smarter and cleaner energy technologies, including increased energy efficiency, nuclear power, clean coal and renewables," said David Ratcliffe, Southern Company chairman, president and CEO. "This project represents another step in developing a diverse portfolio to meet the nation's growing energy demands."    » read more »

November 09, 2009 -- SAN ANTONIO – Texas Governor Rick Perry today announced initiatives to expand and improve mental health support programs for veterans and their families utilizing state funds marked for veterans mental health.

“The men and women of the military make the ultimate sacrifice to leave their families and loved ones and serve our country fighting in distant lands,” Gov. Perry said. “While observing Veterans’ Day this week, we cannot forget to support these brave Americans and their families when they return home by ensuring they have access to the health care and benefits promised when they made their own promise to defend this nation, and by ensuring a seamless transition to civilian life and providing any support they need.”    » read more »

Landmark health care legislation passes House, brings health care security to the 28th District of Texas

Washington, Nov 8 - Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) today voted for H.R. 3962, the “Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009,” historic health care reform legislation to reform the nation’s health insurance system and ensure quality, affordable health care for all Americans. The deficit-neutral legislation will bring health care coverage to 209,000 uninsured Americans in the 28th congressional district of Texas and will provide coverage to 4.4 million uninsured Texans.    » read more »

October 30, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Today, the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board released the first data on job creation by the "projects and activities" portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (HR 1), also known as the stimulus bill. The new data, made public at www.Recovery.gov as required by Sec. 1512 of HR 1, reported 19,572 jobs directly created in Texasso far, including 398 in Texas's 20th Congressional District. Congressman Charlie Gonzalez (TX‑20) reacted to the news.    » read more »

Lauds Houston Utilities’ Smart Grid Leadership; Local Companies Awarded Over $250 Million in Smart Grid Grants

October 28, 2009 -- HOUSTON, Texas – Visiting the Energy Capital of the World, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today lauded the advanced power transmission and distribution technology adopted by CenterPoint Energy Houston, a regional utility that received a $200 million federal grant to spur its deployment of a Smart Grid that will improve efficiency and help area consumers manage and control their electricity usage.

Other Texas electric utilities shared about $58 million in Smart Grid grants, including Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC (Houston); Golden Spread Electric Cooperative (Amarillo); Denton County Electric Cooperative; and El Pasco Electric.    » read more »

Local Event to Feature Carbon Footprint Calculations, Earth-conscious Marketplace

October 15, 2009 -- Beaumont, Texas – A footprint used to be what your kids left on the kitchen floor. Or maybe it was what police used to track a thief. Now, add the word “carbon” and your footprint figures into one of today’s biggest issues.    » read more »

$18.4 Million for 24 Agrilife Programs That Protect Food Supply, Family Farms & Economy

At the request of Congressman Edwards, Texas A&M Agrilife Research and Agrilife Extension received a total of $18.4 million for 24 research programs under the House bill.    » read more »

A fabric-covered, steel frame practice facility owned by the National Football League’s Dallas Cowboys collapsed under wind loads significantly less than those it should have resisted under applicable design standards, according to a report released today for public comment by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Located in Irving, Texas, the facility collapsed on May 2, 2009, during a severe thunderstorm. Twelve people were injured, one seriously.    » read more »

ATLANTA, Oct. 9 -- Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company that acquires, builds, manages and owns wholesale generation assets, today announced that it is acquiring Nacogdoches Power, LLC from American Renewables, LLC and will move ahead with construction of the planned biomass power plant in Sacul, Texas.

Groundbreaking is expected in the fall of 2009 and commercial operation is projected for the summer of 2012. When completed, the project will be one of the largest biomass-fueled electric generating facilities in the U.S., capable of generating approximately 100 megawatts.

The plant's output is committed through a 20-year power purchase agreement with Austin Energy, the municipal utility owned by and serving Austin, Texas.    » read more »

Washington, Oct 8 - Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) yesterday voted to pass legislation that will enhance food safety, boost rural economies, protect Americans against price fluctuations for necessities, and help feed struggling families. The Agriculture Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010 passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 263 to 162. The bill provides funding for the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Farm Credit Administration (FCA).    » read more »

(WASHINGTON) - Congressman Chet Edwards announced that vital renewable energy research at Texas A&M University will be bolstered by federal funds he included in the final 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which passed the House today 308 to 114. Edwards is vice chair of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, and was a member of the House-Senate conference committee that wrote the final bill.    » read more »

September 30, 2009 -- AUSTIN – Texas Governor Rick Perry today granted a pardon for innocence to James Lee Woodard after DNA testing proved he did not sexually assault or murder Beverly Ann Jones in 1980. DNA testing was not available at the time the crime was committed.

“James Lee Woodard was wrongfully convicted for a crime he did not commit,” Perry said. “My action today cannot give back the time he spent in prison, but it does end this miscarriage of justice.”    » read more »

House Bill 4102 provides relief to school districts affected by disasters

August 28, 2009 -- BEAUMONT – Texas Governor Rick Perry today announced the state has authorized more than $62.8 million to reimburse school districts for the cost of repairs incurred as a result of Hurricane Ike. The reimbursements are part of House Bill 4102, which provides relief for school districts impacted by disasters or other emergencies.    » read more »

All Ike Related Debris Removal Now Eligible for 100% Reimbursement, Public Assistance Federal Costshare Increased to 90%

June 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC - Today U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Texas’ senior senator, announced that the Fiscal Year 2009 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill which passed the U.S. Senate included a provision she secured allowing the Texas counties impacted by Hurricane Ike to access millions in additional Debris Removal and Public Assistance reimbursements from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).    » read more »