News from February 2024
Texas Rep. Keith Bell's policy accomplishments include investments in border security and women's sports
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 21, 2024
Texas State Representative Keith Bell recently released a summary of his policy achievements from the 88th Legislature. The key accomplishments include substantial investments in border security and the protection of women's sports.
New natural gas-fueled power plant planned for Texas
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 21, 2024
A new natural gas generation plant, with the capacity to power 800,000 Texas homes, is set to be constructed in Central Texas. The plant will be built by Sandow Lakes Energy Company and is expected to start generating electricity by 2028.
Wind generation in Texas continues its decline from last year
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 19, 2024
In January, production from Texas wind farms declined by 22% compared to the same month last year, as per data recently released by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which manages the state's grid. This decrease continues a year-long slump for wind energy.
Protecting Texas Police Officers and Their Rights, a Discussion with Charley Wilkinson
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 19, 2024
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR INTERVIEW WITH CHARLEY WILKINSON
Cleat Executive Director: Texas Has Become 'More Violent Simply Because You've Had a Population Explosion'
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 19, 2024
Charley Wilkison, Legislative Director of Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) said that Texas has gotten increasingly more violent over the years.
TCEQ Releases 5 Pre-Proposals for Public Comment for RESTORE Funding
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 18, 2024
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has released five pre-proposals for public comment for program areas within Texas for Bucket 2/Funded Priorities List (FPL) 4. According to Toby Baker, Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Greg Abbott and the governor’s appointee to the RESTORE Council, these pre-proposals aim to address various environmental concerns in Texas.Among the pre-proposals is the program focusing on "Protection and conservation of current wetland and future wetland mitigation corridors," which aims to protect existing wetlands and coastal...
CBP agents seize over $5,300,000 worth of narcotics at the border
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 16, 2024
The U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced the interception of narcotics worth over $5 million at the southern border. The seizures, which occurred in two separate instances, took place at Laredo's Colombia-Solidarity Bridge.
Applications open for the Texas Clean School Bus Program
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 16, 2024
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has announced that applications are now being accepted for the Texas Clean School Bus (TCSB) Program. The program aims to reduce children's exposure to diesel exhaust by providing grant funding for the replacement or retrofitting of school buses.With an estimated $13.5 million in grant funding available, school districts in Texas have the opportunity to replace or retrofit their school buses. The grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and can reimburse up to 100 percent of the cost to retrofit buses or...
TPPF Responds to the Standing Up to the Executive Branch for Immigration Enforcement Act
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 16, 2024
The Standing Up to the Executive Branch for Immigration Enforcement Act (The SUE for Immigration Enforcement Act) was introduced by Congressmen Dan Bishop and Chip Roy, and is currently being reviewed by the Judiciary Committee. In response to the release of this bill, Joshua Treviño of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) has issued a statement.Treviño highlights that the bill is a direct response to the Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Texas, which found that Louisiana and Texas lacked standing to challenge the Biden administration's failure to enforce...
Retired Texas captain reveals the truth about cartel operations at the border
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 16, 2024
Highlights from our interview with Jaeson Jones
Legislation would require Texas to connect its electric grid to the U.S. grid
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 16, 2024
U.S. Representative Greg Casar (D-Texas) has proposed legislation aimed at integrating the Texas grid with the national grid system. The current setup sees Texas operating independently, a decision made to avoid federal government control over its grid.
OPINION: Austin rail project rewriting Texas norms, state leaders should weigh in before it goes too far
By Lone Star Standard Editorial Board | Feb 16, 2024
During the 88th regular session, a legislative fight about how the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) is financing a $7 billion + light rail project in Austin concluded with a sustained point-of-order brought by Representative John Bucy in the final days of the session.
Troubled solar company Orsted announces deal with Bloomberg
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 15, 2024
Orsted, a prominent renewable energy developer in the U.S., has entered into a power purchase agreement with Bloomberg. As part of this deal, Bloomberg will procure power from Orsted's Mockingbird Solar Center located in Paris, Texas. This move aligns with Bloomberg's commitment to a global corporate initiative that encourages companies to source 100 percent of their electricity from renewable energy.
MADD and Diageo North America Partner to Tackle Impaired Driving
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 14, 2024
Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) and Diageo North America have announced a new partnership aimed at addressing the issue of impaired driving in the United States. The collaboration will focus on education, awareness, and prevention campaigns to help put an end to drunk driving."In recent years, we have witnessed a surge in drunk driving. Just since 2019, alcohol-related traffic fatalities have increased by 31%. MADD and Diageo are acutely aware that lives are at stake," said MADD CEO Stacey D. Stewart.The first initiative of this partnership will be to send a clear...
DIR Posts a Pre-Solicitation for Public Cloud Manager (PCM)
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 14, 2024
The Department of Information Resources (DIR) has announced its intention to release a Request for Offer (RFO) for a Public Cloud Manager (PCM) to provide implementation, management, and support of the Public Cloud Services offering for DIR customers. This announcement was made through a Pre-solicitation Notice, which serves as a preliminary notification to the vendor community.In the notice, DIR encourages vendors to keep an eye on the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) and the Schedule of Solicitation Opportunities on the Selling Through DIR page for future updates...
Texas Education Agency Initiates Marlin ISD Board Transition
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 14, 2024
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has announced the initiation of a board transition for the Marlin Independent School District (ISD). The transition timeline was originally announced by Commissioner Morath in January 2021 but was delayed due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent academic accountability pause. According to the TEA, a third of the elected trustees will transition to the board on January 31, 2024. This will be followed by another third in 2025 and the final third in 2026. The purpose of this transition is to ensure a smooth and effective...
City Working Group Releases Austin Energy Zero-Carbon Resource Plan as Decision Looms
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 14, 2024
The Electric Utility Commission (EUC) working group has released its recommendations for Austin Energy's Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan to 2030. The plan aims to prioritize clean energy and transition the city off fossil fuels. Although it falls short of achieving carbon-free status by 2030, it sets ambitious goals, including reaching 80% renewable energy and becoming carbon-free by 2035.The working group's plan includes various initiatives such as 500 MWs of battery storage, 300 MWs of demand response, 750 MWs of local solar, and significant...
Catarina Gonzales appointed as new TCEQ Commissioner
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 14, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Catarina Gonzales as the new commissioner for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), effective immediately. Gonzales, who hails from Austin, will be joining Chairman Jon Niermann and Commissioner Bobby Janecka as the appointed leaders of the TCEQ.Expressing her gratitude for the opportunity, Commissioner Gonzales said, "I am honored by the appointment from Governor Abbott. I am excited to leverage my knowledge and experience in environmental policy and law to guide the agency and further its mission of safeguarding human...
Debt Crisis Looming: Vance Ginn's View on the National Debt and Texas' Economic Future
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 13, 2024
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR INTERVIEW WITH VANCE GINN
What Can We Expect From Electric Utilities This Year?
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 12, 2024
Electric utilities in Texas are being urged to invest more in energy efficiency programs that can benefit both consumers and the environment. Last year, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) reviewed the plans presented by electric utilities responsible for meeting the state's energy efficiency goals. However, it was observed that these utilities tend to spend just enough to meet the minimum requirements and earn performance bonuses. The Sierra Club, an environmental organization, called for stronger investments in these programs to help stabilize the grid, reduce...
