Sept. 21-28, 2009
CAPP NEWS ROUNDUP
September 21, 2009 through September 28, 2009
Industry News
Texan Sees ‘Economic Disaster’ in Climate Bill
By John Collins Rudolf
New York Times
September 22, 2009
In a fiery speech in Austin today, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas blasted the Waxman-Markey climate-change and energy bill, which narrowly passed the United States House of Representatives in June and awaits debate in the Senate. Mr. Perry assailed the bill, which would create a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions, as a “legislative monstrosity” that would do grave damage to the Texas economy.
Austin energy plan vetted in more thorough process
By Cyrus Reed
San Antonio Express-News
September 23, 2009
It is rare that two cities so close together consider their electricity plans for the next 10 to 15 years at roughly the same time. It is more interesting that the two largest municipal utilities in Texas take such different approaches.
Houston a Hub for Renewable Energy?
By Clifford Krauss
New York Times
September 24, 2009
Houston has long been the country’s oil and gas capital, but some business executives say it is only a matter of time before it becomes a center for renewable energy as well.
Houston to get state’s largest solar plant
By Elizabeth Souder
Dallas Morning News
September 24, 2009
NRG Energy Inc. will build the state's largest solar array in Houston and sell all of the power it makes to the city. NRG plans to spend $40 million to build a 10-megawatt solar plant on land near a natural gas plant that the company operates, NRG and the city said Thursday in a news release.
Pro-nuclear group’s poll backs its stance
By Tracy Idell Hamilton
San Antonio Express-News
September 24, 2009
Many of San Antonio's high-profile business leaders have long backed CPS Energy's proposal to add two new nuclear reactors to the South Texas Project, and now they've got a poll showing that a majority of San Antonio voters agree.
Analyst forecasts continued volatility in oil prices
By Mella McEwen
Midland Reporter-Telegram
September 27, 2009
James Smith, financial oil and gas economist at Southern Methodist University's Cox School of Business, has analyzed the world's oil markets and is taking the past of unconventional wisdom. Unlike analysts who predict $300 to $500 oil prices in the future, Smith said he expects continued volatile oil prices that may return to $150 a barrel.
FERC's Spitzer: Texas well suited for plug-in hybrids
By Tom Fowler
Houston Chronicle
September 28, 2009
Mark Spitzer, a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, told a group of Houston electricity execs that Texas is in a good position to support the widespread use of plug-in hybrid electric cars. The key factors: excess wind power and growing use of "smart grid" technology.