Monday Morning Report
 July 6, 2009 

Internal

 

The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a July 10 deadline for pre-applications for the government's new rail transit and stimulus-package funding for high speed rail. Consultants for the Austin-San Antonio Commuter Rail District and Corridor Council staff are working on both the pre-application and the more formal, extensive presentation required by a mid-September deadline. For details, contact council@thecorridor.org.

 

Congratulations to New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce president Michael Meek, winner of the Marvin Hurley Lifetime Achievement award from the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives organization as the one of the best chamber-officials in the State. The award is given annually to an executive officer with a distinguished career in his particular chamber. Michael is a long-time friend and member of the Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council.  Article.

 

Infrastructure

 

State legislators - in a quick two-day Special Session in Austin - approved $2 billion in new road bonds and granted a reprieve to five agencies (TxDOT among them) threatened by a Sunset Commission-issued death sentence last week. But the Legislature failed to pass a bill authorizing more Comprehensive Development Agreements, an issue that became too-hot-to-handle in light of the vocal opposition to toll roads. For a wrap-up on what happened go here; for an analysis of the politics involved, read Paul Burka's take here.

 

Surface transportation trade between NAFTA partners (US, Mexico, Canada) continued to decline in the latest numbers, down a whopping 33% over 2008 numbers. That includes all modes, rail, trucks, and pipelines. Both imports and exports were affected, which may be why increases in truck traffic on IH35 between Austin and San Antonio seem to be slowing. Details here. 

 

The 2009 US/Mexico Sister Cities International Conference will be held in Austin, Aug. 5-9 at the Sheraton Hotel, 701 East 11th.  About 300 people from 160 US cities and their Mexican sister-city counterparts are expected to attend. The program includes keynote presentations by Hope Andrade, Texas Secretary of State, Rosalba Ojeda, consul general of Mexico; Lloyd Doggett, US congressman; and Art Acevedo, Austin’s police chief.

 

Don't know if it's global warming or the Legislature being in session but Central Texas sweltered last week: New Braunfels was the nation's hot spot last week at 107 degrees, Lake Travis is dropping by two feet a week, farmers said record heat would make peaches and figs sweeter this year if crops don't die altogether, and there are reports of trees chasing dogs. Just so you'll know, the hottest temperature on record in Texas was 120-degrees in Seymour in 1936; coldest was Tulia in 1899 at minus-23 degrees (wouldn't that be nice). More records here.

 

Economic Development

 

Solar San Antonio is sponsoring a workshop on becoming part of the solar energy revolution emerging in San Antonio on July 17 at 8:00 am. Breakfast and lunch will be included, as well as six informational sessions taught by regional solar certification institutes and local solar providers. For more information or to RSVP email Eric Washburn or give him a call at 210/354-0236.  Details.

 

CPS Energy has recommended the expansion of the South Texas Project nuclear power plant as part of a diversified plan to satisfy San Antonio's long-term power needs. The recommendation to the CPS Energy board of trustees comes after three years of detailed study of various energy options.

 

The US Census Bureau calls Round Rock the second-fastest growing large city in the nation. Williamson County’s population grew 8.6% over the last, making it second only in growth to New Orleans. Austin ranked 9th biggest gainer adding 18,000 people to its population, moving from the 16th largest city in the US to the 15th.

 

After a year of effort UT at Arlington researchers have succeeded in producing Texas intermediate-quality crude oil out of lignite. The researchers predict that their discovery could lead to oil that costs $35 a barrel instead of the current $65 to $70. Texas sits on a 200-year supply of lignite, easily accessible because it lies near the earth's surface. Lignite, a form of coal, is now used to fuel steam-electric power generation.

 

CenturyTel announced last week that its merger with Embarq Corporation is complete and that, pending shareholder approval, the company will in May change its name to CenturyLink. CenturyLink now has more than 2.1 million broadband customers, more than 440,000 video subscribers and 7.5 million access lines in 33 states, including a swath through the Austin-San Antonio Corridor including San Marcos.

 

'Hoping For Eight When They Open That Gate:' We don't hear much about rodeo these days but it's still a big part of life in the Corridor in some places and the bull-riding event in Belton over the July 4 Weekend was a doozy: cowboys went 1-for-9 against stock from the Lancaster and Pickett Pro Rodeo company. Only one bull rider out of 28 has hung on for the mandated 8-second ride against L&P-provided stock this year. Local color here.

 

 

 

Thought for the week:

 

“He has the deed half done who has made a beginning.”

~ Horace