The TER Buzz:

22 Injured In Houston-Area Chemical Plant Explosion

May 19, 2018

 

Officials now say 22 people have been injured — two of them seriously — in a fire at a chemical plant near Houston.

About 250 employees of Kuraray America Inc. were on site when the fire broke out at a broken valve about 11 this morning at the plant outside Pasadena, just south of Houston…
 

Xcel Completes Substation and Lines Near Hereford

May 18, 2018

 

Xcel Energy says it’s completed the new high-voltage transmission line and substation its been building on four acres outside Hereford, Texas, southwest of Amarillo.

The new substation is named “La Plata” in honor of the first county seat in Deaf Smith County…
 

Commissioner George P. Bush statement in support of U.S. Senator John Cornyn filing the Coastal Texas Protection Act: News Release

AUSTIN – Today Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush released the
following statement in support of the Coastal Texas Protection Act
filed by U.S. Senator John Cornyn:

“Coastal protection benefits more than just those who call the Texas
coast home. Completion of the coastal barrier system will reduce longterm
storm surge risks and ensure the continued durability of key
infrastructure that contributes to our nation’s economy and quality of
life.

“I applaud Senator Cornyn’s continued leadership on this important
issue not just for our state, but the nation. Together we can create a
more resilient place for coastal Texans to call home while protecting
the economic and national security interests of all Americans.”

Senator Cornyn’s bill requires the Secretary of the Army to “expedite
the completion of feasibility studies for flood damage reduction,
hurricane and storm damage reduction, and ecosystem restoration in
the coastal areas of Texas that are identified in the interim report due
to be published in 2018 that describes the tentatively selected plan
developed in accordance with section of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2007.”
 

Gasoline Price Rises As Supplies Drop

By Alex Mills

 

Rising gasoline prices have been a big news story this past week increasing to a nationwide average of $2.87 per gallon. The U.S. average diesel fuel price increased to $3.24 per gallon.

West Coast tops the nation at $3.73, and Gulf Coast has the lowest at $2.61, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Gasoline, diesel and other distillate fuels are made from crude oil, and crude oil prices topped $70 per barrel on the NYMEX recently for the first time since 2014.

The rise in consumption and decline in oil production worldwide has resulted in the decline of crude oil, gasoline and distillate inventories, which have been a major reason for the increase in price, EIA stated….
 

UPDATED: AG Opinion On RRC Executive Director Resignation Indicates Chairman Craddick May Have Overstepped Authority; Fellow Commissioner Says Not So

May 17, 2018

 

Railroad Commission of Texas Chairman Christi Craddick may have overstepped her authority by meeting with — and allegedly giving an ultimatum to — the former executive director of the RRC, an attorney general’s opinion Wednesday said, but there are specifics of the incident that must be taken into account….

 

Odessa and Midland Improving Water With Help From Pioneer

May 16, 2018

 

With a new city manager in place, Odessa is preparing for new infrastructure and improvements in city water, with some help from Irving-based Pioneer Natural Resources.

Odessa’ interim city manager Michael Marrero was appointed to permanent city manager last week, following recent praise from Mayor David Turner.…
 

Davis Joins Lucid II

May 16, 2018

 

Following its recent $1.6 billion recapitalization (through Riverstone and Goldman Sacs) aimed at expansion in the Delaware Basin, Dallas natural gas processor Lucid Energy Group II is expanding leadership and team efforts, the company said Tuesday….