Nov. 9-16, 2009
CAPP NEWS ROUNDUP
November 9, 2009 through November 16, 2009
Industry News
Deputy City Manager James R. Hogan to retire ending 35-year municipal career
By Kim Nguyen
Plano Star-Courier
November 11, 2009
After 35 years of serving in various capacities in different city departments, Deputy City Manager James R. “Rod” Hogan has decided to step down from his post and go into retirement.
Renewable power in search of on-demand storage technology
By Jennifer A. Dlouhy
Austin American-Statesman
November 16, 2009
WASHINGTON — Utilities harnessing power from the wind and sun are up against a major challenge: how to store electricity so that it can be delivered to customers when the air is still and the sun has set. So far, it has been an elusive goal. Companies have been searching for the best way to store copious amounts of electricity so that it can be dispensed on demand — like the energy contained in cell phone batteries but on a much larger scale.
Yet another concern about biofuels: Invasive plants
By Elizabeth Souder
Dallas Morning News
November 14, 2009
Another issue with biofuels: Most of the grass species biofuels companies are considering using to make into gasoline feedstock are invasive. Add it to the list of concerns scientists, politicians, energy officials and consumers often have about biofuels. Fuels such as ethanol can be costly, they can consume food (such as corn), and they sometimes require special infrastructure to get to the pump.
Mayor willing to dump CPS plan
By Anton Caputo, Tracy Idell Hamilton
San Antonio Express-News
November 13, 2009
Mayor Julián Castro is ready to pull out of the nuclear project if CPS Energy executives don't return from Japan with a significantly lower cost estimate. Castro said Thursday he wouldn't wait until January — when the next cost estimate from contractor Toshiba is due — to begin “prudently” withdrawing from the nuclear project if CPS Energy officials fail to deliver news of a better deal Monday.
Green energy plan should be alternative to nuclear
By Tom “Smitty” Smith
San Antonio Express-News
November 12, 2009
Cheaper and safer ways exist to meet the city's need for power. With the bond vote now pushed back until January, the City Council should take the time to get bids on alternative energy scenarios for San Antonio's new electric generation. This input would present the council with the most cost-effective, least risky, most environmentally sustainable plan possible.
Group wants Texas to plug in with hybrid vehicles
By Tom Fowler
Houston Chronicle
November 12, 2009
The Texas power grid is in good shape to handle the first generation of plug-in gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, but it will take more work to encourage consumers to buy them, industry and government panelists said in Houston Thursday.
Texas “starting to saddle up” on clean energy trail
By Tom Fowler
Houston Chronicle
November 12, 2009
Texas remains the largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the U.S. but saw the largest overall decline in CO2 emissions from 2004 to 2007, according to a report released today by the Environment Texas Research & Policy Center.
Texas, Leading CO2 Emitter, Sees Greenhouse Gas Output Drop
By Angel Gonzalez, Dow Jones Newswires
Wall Street Journal
November 12, 2009
HOUSTON (Dow Jones)--Texas, the nation's baddest greenhouse gas hog, is also leading the U.S. in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels due to lower industrial demand and the spread of renewable power. A report released Thursday by environmental non-profit Environment Texas says the Lone Star state saw its CO2 output decline 2% between 2004 and 2007.