Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called Monday for doubling a state fund to $10 billion to support new natural gas generation.
Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, both Republicans, wrote in a joint statement that they were concerned by recent comments from the head of the state’s main grid operator that Texas may need as much as 150,000 megawatts of electricity online by 2030 to meet growing demand. Currently, the state can produce about 85,000 megawatts at maximum capacity, said Pablo Vegas, CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, during testimony before a Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee meeting.
“If the new estimate is correct, the updated numbers provided by Mr. Vegas call for an immediate review of all policies concerning the grid,” wrote Abbott and Patrick.
The challenges facing the Texas electric grid were thrust in the national spotlight in 2021 when Winter Storm Uri caused widespread generation failures in the state, leading to power outages that lasted nearly a week. More than 200 people died as a result.
SAN ANTONIO – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has directed 39 Texas Emergency Management Council agencies to begin response and recovery efforts as preparations for Hurricane Beryl, a press release said Wednesday.
Abbott said he is calling for 24/7 staffing plans for the State Emergency Operations Center, in case Hurricane Beryl hits the Texas Gulf Coast.
“Texas stands ready to deploy all available resources and support to our coastal communities as Hurricane Beryl approaches the state,” Abbott said in the press release. “Today, I directed TDEM to issue an advisory notice to our emergency management agencies to ensure Texas is prepared and equipped for hurricane response and recovery efforts. As Texans around the south coastal areas make holiday plans and visitors begin to travel for the holiday weekend, I urge them to take necessary safety precautions, remain weather aware, and have an emergency plan ready for themselves and their families. State and local officials will continue to work around-the-clock to monitor statewide weather conditions and help protect Texans.”
KSAT Money: How to prepare your finances before a natural disaster
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The press release said Texans are urged to stay informed, monitor local weather forecasts, follow directions from local officials and make an emergency plan.
Additionally, visitors that area headed to Texas beaches should review beach safety tips and be aware of the risks of rip currents during the approaching tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico, the press release states.
Texans are encouraged to visit the TDEM Disaster Portal or Texas Hurricane Center webpages for storm information. Additional storm safety and preparedness information is available at TexasReady.gov and tdem.texas.gov/prepare.
The 39 participating agencies include:
Texas Division of Emergency Management
Texas A&M University System
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service – Texas A&M Task Force 1
Texas A&M Forest Service
Texas Military Department – Texas National Guard
Texas Department of Public Safety
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Texas Department of Transportation
Public Utility Commission of Texas
Railroad Commission of TexasTexas Commission on Environmental Quality
Texas Animal Health Commission
State Comptroller of Public Accounts
Texas Commission on Fire Protection
Texas Department of Agriculture
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers continued to slug, to an extent, but their pitching failed to hold down the San Diego Padres in a 6-4 loss Wednesday night at Globe Life Field.
The Rangers scored three times in the third and another run in the fourth to take a 4-2 lead, but the Padres scored a run in the fifth, sixth, and two more in the seventh on a two-run home run from David Peralta to snap the tie.
The Rangers’ two-game win streak was snapped as the Padres evened the series ahead of the 1:35 p.m. Thursday finale.
Texas continued to hit for multiple extra-base hits, but they were all confined to their three-run third when Jonah Heim, Corey Seager, and Josh Smith doubled to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead.
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The Rangers bullpen faltered, however, which was forced into early action after starter Jon Gray was pulled with two on and no outs with a 4-2 lead in the 5th.
The big blow came against Dane Dunning, who took over for Jacob Latz in the sixth, who had replaced Jose Leclerc after he put the leadoff batter on with a hit-by-pitch.
Dunning was charged with two runs on three hits in 2 1/3 innings.
Marcus Semien, who was 0 for 4 with a run scored, was the only starting Rangers player who didn’t collect a hit.
Jul 3, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) reacts to an inside pitch thrown by Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jon Gray (2not shown) during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports / Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Starter Jon Gray allowed a single and walk to start the fifth and was replaced by Jose Leclerc. Gray was charged with three runs on seven hits and two walks. Leclerc nearly escaped the inning but a dribbler down the third-base line bounced over the outer edge of the bag and was called fair, which allowed a run to score. Otherwise, Leclerc retired Manny Machado, Donovan Solano before striking out David Peralta to preserve a 4 3 lead.
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Jul 2, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Leody Taveras (3) scores during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Leody Taveras is batting .412 with three walks, two stolen bases, and three RBI in the past seven games. He drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the third Wednesday and later singled.
Jun 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Max Scherzer (31) reacts after throwing a first inning pitch against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Max Scherzer (1-1, 1.74) makes his third start of the season in the series finale against right-hander Michael King (6-5, 3.61) at 1:35 p.m. Wednesday.
A week ago, it looked like Texas A&M Aggies baseball was falling into the basement.
Not only had their head coach accepted the head coaching job for their arch rivals, the Texas Longhorns, but nearly every impact player from their College World Series team had entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.
However, things have now turned around in a big way.
With the hiring of new head coach Michael Earley, the Aggies had managed to retain a good portion of those players entering the portal, including Jace LaViolette, Gavin Grahovac, Ali Camarillo, Hayden Schott, and Kaeden Kent.
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Now, he has done it again, with standout freshman outfielder Caden Sorrell and pitcher Justin Lamkin both announcing their intentions to stay with the program on Wednesday with a post on X.
“No place like HOME,” Sorrell said his his post with two thumbs up emojis.
Last season in his first year with the Aggies, Sorrell exploded on to the scene, hitting .275 with a .369 OBP and .555 slugging percentage in 62 games. In 214 total plate appearances and 182 at bats, Sorrell scored 44 runs with 50 hits and 43 RBI, along with 11 home runs. He also finished the year with eight doubles, three triples, and nine stolen bases to his name.
Lamkin, meanwhile, his announcement on Instagram.
Left handed pitcher Justin Lamkin announces his return to Texas A&M on Instagram after a legendary showing in June at the College World Series. pic.twitter.com/YdDD3eBAQh
In his second season with the Aggies, Lamkin went 3-3 with a 5.21 ERA in 19 games with 16 starts. He pitched 65.2 total innings and gave up 64 hits with 38 earned runs, striking out 88 of the 289 batters he faced.
