News from August 2023
Biden Administration's efforts to promote wind farms off Texas coast come up short
By Austin Journal Report | Aug 30, 2023
Two leases for offshore wind farms off the Texas Gulf Coast failed to attract any interest in an auction held by the U.S. Department of Interior on Tuesday. The auction was part of an effort by the Biden Administration to deploy 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy by 2030.
Austin Bank to implement 'new branding and marketing strategies' after latest executive appointments
By Austin Journal | Aug 30, 2023
Jeff Austin III, chairman of the board of Austin Bank, recently announced the appointments of Patty Steelman as community engagement officer and Rachel French as the senior vice president and marketing director.
Texas Attorney General says counties do not have the ability to ban solar farms
By Andy Nghiem | Aug 30, 2023
On Aug. 16, the Texas Attorney general's office issued a letter saying that counties do not have the ability to ban solar farms. The letter came in response to a request on the subject from the Franklin County, TX county attorney.
City of Austin Water Oversight Committee met May 24
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Aug 30, 2023
City of Austin Water Oversight Committee met Wednesday, May 24
Problems with renewables leads ERCOT to ask Texans to conserve electricity use for the fourth straight day
By Austin Journal Report | Aug 30, 2023
Because of low wind and potential low solar generation, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) on Sunday asked Texas residents and businesses to conserve electricity use. ERCOT's request was the fourth consecutive day that the manager for most of Texas' electric grid had asked Texans to conserve because of low output from renewable energy sources.
City of Austin Mobility Committee met May 11
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Aug 29, 2023
City of Austin Mobility Committee met Thursday, May 11
Noem: "The cartels are out for blood."
By Austin Journal Report | Aug 28, 2023
Amid escalating border concerns, several state governors convened in Texas, rallying behind Governor Abbott's call for action and criticizing President Biden's approach while highlighting the tangible outcomes of Operation Lone Star.
City of Austin Mobility Committee met Aug. 24
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Aug 28, 2023
City of Austin Mobility Committee met Thursday, Aug. 24
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors will meet Aug. 31
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Aug 27, 2023
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors will meet at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 31
City of Austin City Council will meet Aug. 31
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Aug 26, 2023
City of Austin City Council will meet at 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 31
Texas ranks 49th in new study of the women’s equality among states
By Austin Journal Reports | Aug 25, 2023
Texas ranks near the bottom in a new WalletHub study that measured women’s equality issues such as the gender gap in executive positions and jobless-rate disparities between the women and men.
Olivarez: "In the last 24 hrs, Troopers have recovered four unaccompanied children in Eagle Pass."
By Austin Journal Report | Aug 24, 2023
Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers found two unaccompanied children, ages 4 and 7, from Chiapas, Mexico, abandoned near the Rio Grande, bringing the total rescues to over 900 in Operation Lone Star.
UFCU: Christy Soukhamneut has taken on the role of chief lending officer at UFCU
By Austin Journal | Aug 23, 2023
University Federal Credit Union recently appointed Christy Soukhamneut as chief lending officer, according to a press release. Within this capacity, she will supervise the consumer lending division as well as offer guidance to the business banking/commercial lending unit.
City of Austin Mueller Local Government Corporation Board of Directors met Aug. 16
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Aug 23, 2023
City of Austin Mueller Local Government Corporation Board of Directors met Wednesday, Aug. 16
City of Austin City Council met Aug. 16
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Aug 22, 2023
City of Austin City Council met Wednesday, Aug. 16
Jose Altuve: 'I know we lost today and not in a good way, but I’m really happy and thankful with my teammates, my family and God.'
By BD | Aug 22, 2023
Although the Houston Astros’ lost 10-3 at home to the Seattle Mariners on Aug. 19, there was a brief, bright moment of celebration when veteran infielder Jose Altuve collected his 2,000th career hit.
Abbott: 'Texans across the state will now have greater access to the healthcare services they need with this additional annual funding.'
By BD | Aug 22, 2023
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has secured $984 million to support private hospitals throughout the state, Gov. Greg Abbott said in an Aug. 17 press release from his office.
Abbott: 'Texas is the energy capital of the world, but more important is what we are doing with that energy and what it means for our future.'
By BD | Aug 21, 2023
Gov. Greg Abbott said nuclear power is important to the Texas economy at a moderated fireside discussion with Dow Chemical Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jim Fitterling and X-energy head Clay Sell at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) on Aug. 16.
Texas PUC votes to increase electricity prices by approximately $500 million a year
By Austin Journal Report | Aug 21, 2023
The Public Utility Commission of Texas, which regulates Texas' electricity markets, voted to increase wholesale electricity prices at its open meeting on Aug. 3. The PUC's action is designed to increase revenue received by electricity generators by about $500 million a year in an effort to increase grid reliability.
Crowl: 'We are honored to be chosen as a financial partner by more people in Austin and Central Texas than any other credit union'
By Austin Journal Report | Aug 21, 2023
On July 27, 2023, University Federal Credit Union (UFCU) announced that, for the eighth consecutive year, the Austin Business Journal ranked them as Austin's top credit union. UFCU, the largest locally owned financial institution in Austin, outperformed other credit unions in terms of Austin-area membership and deposits according to a press release by UFCU.