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Of Mice and Microgrids: A Profile of the US’ Largest Microgrid

Sun, 2014-07-13 18:08 — Kathy Gilbeaux

Photo Credit: Kumar Appaiah

submitted by Albert Gomez

energyefficiencymarkets.com - by Elisa Wood - July 10, 2014

The University of Texas at Austin houses what is often described as the most integrated and largest microgrid in the US,  a  model for saving energy and money.

Built in 1929 as a steam plant, the facility has evolved to provide 100 percent of the power, heat and cooling for a 20-million square-foot campus with 150 buildings.

The university is known for its premiere research facilities, which demand high quality, reliable power.  And its microgrid has delivered with 99.9998 percent reliability over the last 40 years.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

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United States
US - South
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Energy
Sustainable Development
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Solutions
Situation Report

Port Arthur Citizens Oppose Construction of New Plant Near Their Homes

Mon, 2014-07-07 18:30 — Kathy Gilbeaux
12 News KBMT and K-JAC. News, Weather and Sports for SE Texas

12newsnow.com - by Angel San Juan - July 3, 2014

PORT ARTHUR - ZeoGas is a start-up company that wants to convert natural gas into methanol, which will then be turned into gasoline. It's interested in building a plant in Port Arthur along Highway 73 near the city's water plant, but families living nearby, in the El Vista area, don't want it. . .

. . . They say they've been promised job opportunities before and have just gotten industry that's harmed their health.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

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US - South
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Energy
Environment
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Problem
Situation Report

Texas Clean-Energy Projects Created 6,400 Jobs Last Year

Sun, 2014-06-29 21:25 — Kathy Gilbeaux

submitted by Margery Schab  

      

Texas is among the leaders nationally in the creation of clean-energy jobs.  OCI Solar

bizjournals.com - by Sanford Nowlin - March 14, 2014

Clean-energy production and energy-efficient transportation projects created nearly 6,400 jobs in Texas last year, according to a new report by nonpartisan business group Environmental Entrepreneurs, or E2. 

The Lone Star State ranked No. 2 behind California, which generated around 15,400 clean-energy jobs in 2013.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

REPORT - E2 - Clean Energy Jobs: 2013 Year in Review and Q4 Report (12 page .PDF report)

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United States
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Employment
Energy
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Situation Report

Some Orange County Residents Evacuated Due to Gas Leak

Thu, 2014-06-26 14:35 — Kathy Gilbeaux

12newsnow.com - KBMT - June 25, 2014

. . . Around 8:45 a.m. Wednesday the Sheriff’s Office received a call from an oil well company representative in reference to a natural gas leak at a well site at the end of Gulf Road off FM 408 in the Orangefield area of Orange County.

. . . As the leak continued for several hours, the gas was not dissipating rapidly due to the weather conditions.  The oil well company could not control the leak and it was necessary for a special response team from Houston, Texas to be contacted.  Once the team arrived, it was recommended that homes in the vicinity of the well site be evacuated.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE AND VIEW NEWS VIDEO)

CLICK HERE - KBMT-12 - video and audio of gas leak

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US - South
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Emergency Management
Energy
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Problem
Situation Report

Texas Cap and Trade Studies and Reports

Mon, 2014-06-23 20:52 — Kathy Gilbeaux
General Topic Tags: 
Climate
Economics
Energy
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 
Situation Report

Window on State Government - Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

The Comptroller’s office conducted an analysis in partnership with the Center for Energy Economics at the University of Texas at Austin’s Bureau of Economic Geology (UT-BEG) to determine the impact of increased energy costs resulting from the proposed cap and trade legislation on the Texas economy.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

Denton, Texas Considers Fracking Ban, Hopes To Attract Sriracha Factory

Fri, 2014-06-20 18:31 — Kathy Gilbeaux

submitted by Margery Schab

          

Natural gas well holding tanks sit next to a subdivision of homes in Denton, Texas, Thursday, May 29, 2014. (AP Photo/LM Otero) | ASSOCIATED PRESS

huffingtonpost.com - by Emily Schmall - June 19, 2014

. . . For more than a decade, Denton has drawn its lifeblood from the huge gas reserves that lie beneath its streets. The gas fields have produced a billion dollars in mineral wealth and pumped more than $30 million into city bank accounts.

But this former farming center north of Dallas is considering a revolt. Unlike other communities that have embraced the lucrative drilling boom made possible by hydraulic fracturing, leaders here have temporarily halted all fracking as they consider an ordinance that could make theirs the first city in the state to permanently ban the practice.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

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United States
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Situation Report

$3 Million Verdict in Texas Fracking Case

Wed, 2014-04-23 22:46 — Kathy Gilbeaux

submitted by Margery Schab     

         

Bob and Lisa Parr of Decatur confer with attorneys (from left) Brad Gilde and Richard Capshaw during a break in the lawsuit trial Thursday. The Parrs are suing Aruba Petroleum over alleged toxic emissions from gas wells surrounding their home in rural Wise County. Messenger photo by Bob Buckel

dmlawfirm.com - April 22, 2014

DALLAS — Plaintiffs Bob and Lisa Parr won a $3 million jury award in the first fracking verdict in Texas April 22. The Parrs sued Aruba Petroleum in 2011 for fracking operations which fouled the family’s 40-acre ranch property, their home and quality of life, sickened them and their pets and livestock. (See the Parr – 11th Amended Petition.)

The verdict included $275,000 for the Parr’s property loss of market value and $2 million for past physical pain and suffering by Bob and Lisa Parr and their daughter,  $250,000 for future physical pain and suffering, $400,000 for past mental anguish.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

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United States
US - South
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Energy
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Situation Report

Barge Leaking Oil in Galveston Bay After Collision

Sun, 2014-03-23 14:54 — Kathy Gilbeaux

      

A barge loaded with marine fuel oil sits partially submerged in the Houston Ship Channel. The bulk carrier Summer Wind, reported a collision between the Summer Wind and a barge, containing 924,000 gallons of fuel oil, towed by the motor vessel Miss Susan.  Photo: U.S. Coast Guard

Dike, ports closed after barge collides with ship

galvestondailynews.com - by Wes Swift, T. J. Aulds and Kevin M. Cox - March 23, 2014

TEXAS CITY — A collision between a barge and a ship Saturday near the Texas City Dike spilled 160,000 gallons of heavy oil into Galveston Bay.

The accident forced authorities to evacuate the dike and surrounding areas — and to close the Houston Ship Channel.

Authorities also suspended operations of the ferry between Galveston and Port Bolivar.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

ALSO SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN LINKS BELOW

http://time.com/34630/barge-leaking-oil-in-galveston-bay-after-collision/

Country / Region Tags: 
US - Gulf Coast
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Energy
Environment
Oceans
Pollution
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Problem

Texas Chemical Plant Agrees to Cut Harmful Air Pollution in Overburdened Community

Fri, 2014-03-21 20:32 — Kathy Gilbeaux

                                            

justice.gov - epa.gov - March 20, 2014

The Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that Flint Hills Resources of Port Arthur has agreed to implement innovative technologies to control harmful air pollution from industrial flares and leaking equipment at the company’s chemical plant in Port Arthur, Texas.  This settlement is part of EPA’s national effort to advance environmental justice by protecting communities such as Port Arthur that have been disproportionately impacted by pollution.  The company is also required to pay a $350,000 penalty for Clean Air Act violations.

Once fully implemented, EPA estimates that the settlement will reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including benzene and other hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), by an estimated 1,880 tons per year, and will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by approximately 69,000 tons per year.

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US - South
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Energy
Environment
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Problem
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Clean Up Ongoing at Port Neches Huntsman Facility After Oil Spill

Fri, 2014-03-07 21:41 — Kathy Gilbeaux

      

Photo: KFDM - Facebook

beaumontenterprise.com - by Amy Moore - March 7, 2014

A spill from a Shell pipeline running through Port Neches' Huntsman facility left 364 barrels of crude oil to be cleaned up Thursday.

Anne Knisely, a spokesperson for Huntsman, said Shell is managing the response and clean up with assistance from Huntsman crews.

The state railroad commission has primary jurisdiction over the spill investigation and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has already received a preliminary report that states there was no off site impact from the spill, according to Andrea Morrow, a TCEQ spokesperson.

Knisely said there were no injuries reported, but added that some community members have contacted her about the smell in the area from the spill.

She said the Port Neches Fire Department is releasing a community message to inform people about that issue.

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US - South
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Energy
Environment
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