Wendy’s concept approval a ‘biggie’ for P&Z, council
Audio articles on Wilson County News made possible by C Street Gift Shop in downtown Floresville!
[Video below] It’s official. Floresville’s fast-food landscape is getting a new player.
The Floresville Planning & Zoning Committee, at its Jan. 10 meeting, voted unanimously to recommend that the Floresville City Council approve the subdivision plat that will bring both a new gasoline station and a Wendy’s restaurant to a site located at the intersection of 10th Street (U.S. 181) and Hospital Boulevard (S.H. 97). The property currently is the site of an Exxon station and convenience store. The city council, at its Jan. 11 meeting, voted to approve the plat.
Preliminary plat approval was given by the Planning & Zoning Committee last August. (See “What’s the forecast for Floresville? Wendy’s,” Aug. 16, 2023, Wilson County News.)
The project is classed as a subdivision because one lot is being divided into two. Floresville Development Director Jacob Montoya said the northern lot, closer to Executive Inn & Suites, will be the gasoline and diesel station, with a convenience store and parking. The southern lot — closer to the Eagle Ford Inn — will include the Wendy’s restaurant with a drive-thru, parking, and a detention pond. The two lots will be divided by a shared drive.
This will be the first Wendy’s of its kind in Texas. (See “Wendy’s winds its way to Floresville,” May 24, 2023, Wilson County News.)
Audio articles on Wilson County News made possible by C Street Gift Shop in downtown Floresville!
View WCN’s video coverage of these meetings online at wilsoncountynews.com/meeting-coverage: Commissioners Sept. 25, 4A Corp. Sept. 21, FEDC Sept. 21, Stockdale ISD Sept. 19, Poth City Council Sept. 18
Wilson County Emergency Services District 1
(La Vernia, Kicaster, Sutherland Springs)
Meeting: Regular meeting, Sept. 8, 9 a.m.
Actions:
•Approved plans for the Heritage Woods Subdivision in regard to plans for fire safety
•Approved a memorandum of understanding with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office for dispatch services; the district will pay $25,000 per year, and service will include a dedicated fire/EMS dispatcher at a future date
•Approved obtaining a credit card for crews on deployment with TIFMAS (Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System), for emergency truck parts or repairs.
Discussion, no action:
•Heard that two board members met with city of Stockdale officials, who agreed for ESD 1 to lease the current Stockdale Volunteer Fire Department station on S.H. 123 in Stockdale for $1 per month, if voters approve annexation in November of the Stockdale VFD area into ESD 1
•Discussed real property in executive session, but took no action upon reconvening in open meeting.
In attendance: Board President Michael Trainer, Treasurer George Jones, and Assistant Treasurer Gary Ullmann; and Administrative Assistant Danielle DeSomer; Chief Chris Thompson attended for a time via phone.
•Approved an adjunct agreement with Karnes County Extension Agent
•Approved the instructional materials allotment TEKs certification form
Discussion, no action:
•Discussed making a nomination to the Karnes County Appraisal District Board of Directors
•Held a closed session to discuss legal issues related to the School Guardian Program; no action was taken when open session reconvened
•Heard the superintendent’s report, during which it was stated that the district’s current enrollment stands at 437 students, which includes 250 for the Luther Thomas Elementary School and 187 for the Falls City Junior/ Senior High School; there currently are 96 transfer students. The attendance rate stands at 97.69 percent for elementary students and 97.83 for junior/senior high students.
In attendance: Board members Marlin Moczygemba, Barbara Braune, BJ Sekula, Robert Hons, Stephen Moczygemba, and Greg Crawford; and Superintendent Todd Pawelek.
Information per Business Manager Kalyn Moczygemba.
Wilson County Commissioners
Meeting: Regular meeting, Sept. 25, 9-10:23 a.m. (Note: The meeting recessed until 1 p.m., when commissioners planned to discuss and take possible action on appointing someone to a new county court at law position.)
Actions:
•Presented an official copy of a Texas Senate resolution commending former County Judge Richard L. “Dickie” Jackson for his service to the county
•Proclaimed 4-H Week in Wilson County for Oct. 1-7
•Acknowledged a contribution of $250 from the Coffee, Cars & Veterans Club to the county Veterans Service Office •Granted the Floresville Peanut Festival Association limited access to the county courthouse Internet for festival-related administrative functions Oct. 12-14 at no cost to the county
•Approved a revised jury selection plan, which has been in place since 1990, to include a county court at law
•Proclaimed September as Suicide Awareness Month in the county, after a presentation by a representative of Camino Real Community Services (See related photo on page 10A.)
•Proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, after a presentation by a representative of the Guadalupe Valley Family Violence Shelter and Crisis Center
•Approved the expenditure of $17,305 from the county’s Capital Credit Fund for Christmas lighting of the courthouse and surrounding county buildings; Floresville and the Floresville Economic Development Corp. will each provide an equal amount for the lighting
•Approved the platting of a 91-space recreational vehicle park at 10802 U.S. 87 near Post Oak Road south of La Vernia, as recommended by the Wilson County Development Review Committee
•Approved the county treasurer’s financial report for July 2023
•Approved the county paying bills totaling $535,518.29.
Discussion, no action:
•Discussed a proposal to build a battery energy storage system between F.M. 541 and F.M. 2505 on 20 acres of a 180-acre plot near Poth, following a presentation by a representative of the Samsung C&T Corp.; commissioners will look further into the matter in a workshop or another meeting.
In attendance: County Judge Henry “Hank” Whitman Jr. and commissioners Gary Martin, Jeffery Pierdolla, and John “Scott” Akin; County Clerk Genevieve Martinez, Deputy Clerk Krystle Hidalgo, County Treasurer Christina Mutz, 81st Judicial District Clerk Deborah Bryan, county Emergency Management Coordinator Cindy Stafford, Permitting and Development Director Tammi Burleson, Information Technology Director John Holcombe, Human Resource Specialist Jalyn Bodiford, Assistant County Attorney Evelyn Huron, and Second Assistant County Auditor Amanda Bravo.
•Approved the minutes from the Aug. 16 in-person meeting
•Approved the prohibition of motor vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, mopeds, and motor scooters on the trail.
Discussion, no action:
•Discussed involvement in the annual Floresville Christmas parade set for Nov. 25, which will be placed on the next meeting’s agenda
•Discussed the Oct. 21 groundbreaking of renovations to the El Camino Trail; construction is to start in November, conditional upon confirmation from the Texas Department of Transportation
•Discussed the committee’s logo, which currently is being designed by Floresville-based Eagle Ford Signs based on concepts provided by the committee.
In attendance: Committee members Claudia Garza, Jennifer Dominguez, Sylvia Arocha, and Lino Arocha; city Finance Director Cynthia Sturm.
Information per Claudia Garza.
MEETING WATCH
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View WCN’s video coverage of these meetings online at wilsoncountynews.com/meeting-coverage – County Commissioners July 10, FEDC July 3, Floresville Council July 3, St. Hedwig Council July 6
Wilson County Commissioners
Meeting: Regular meeting, July 10, 9-10:14 a.m.
Actions:
•Approved a memorandum of understanding between the Wilson County Public Libraries and the Wilson County Historical Commission
•Approved a resolution that “take-home” county vehicles operated by commissioners shall be operated only in furtherance of county business and are, therefore, not subject to Internal Revenue Service withholding rules concerning taxable fringe benefits
•Tabled action on a revised contract with UniFirst, a company that provides maintenance and janitorial uniforms for the county maintenance department, collections facility, and expo and community center, pending determination of the contract’s expiration date
•Approved going out for bids for material, hauling, material plus hauling, fuel, and lawn-maintenance services
•Approved the county’s participation in a local emergency planning committee with Atascosa, Karnes, and McMullen counties for developing and reviewing emergency response plans, performing related exercises, and informing the public about chemicals in their communities.
•Established the Wilson County Broadband Committee and appointed Nicki Stohr, Sandy Migl, John Holcombe, and Clay Maeckel to the committee, with Stohr to chair the committee
•Tabled action on a professional services agreement with KCI engineering consultants for county engineering services, pending further review by the county attorney
•Approved the naming of a private road Holcombe Lane, which follows the trajectory of C.R 302 northeast of C.R. 304 north of Floresville
•Approved a utility permit for Springs Hill Water Supply Corp. to bore under C.R. 339 near C.R. 417 east of La Vernia
•Approved a utility permit for the Three Oaks Water Supply Corp. to bore under C.R 206 northeast of F.M. 1344 to serve 2363 C.R. 206 southwest of Poth
•Approved a utility permit for S.S. Water Supply Corp. to bore under C.R. 321 southeast of the Enchanted Oaks subdivision
•Approved a utility permit for S.S. Water Supply Corp. to lay a waterline in the right-of-way of C.R. 342 near its intersection with C.R. 337 to serve the Camino Verde subdivision east of La Vernia
•Approved a utility permit for S.S. Water Supply Corp. to lay a waterline in the right-of-way of U.S. 87 at its intersection with C.R. 337 southeast of La Vernia
•Approved four pipeline crossing permits for EVX Eagle Ford Partners LLC to lay waterlines in the rights-of-way of county roads 214, 207, 216, and 247 to convey salt water from oil wells to central facilities in southwest Wilson County
•Approved the county treasurer’s financial report for April 2023
•Approved the county paying bills totaling $124,946.64.
Discussion, no action:
•Discussed applying for a grant for the county library to create a mobile technology unit to serve areas of the county that have slow broadband speed.
In attendance: County Judge Henry “Hank” Whitman Jr. and commissioners Gary Martin, Russell King, Jeffery Pierdolla, and John “Scott” Akin; County Clerk Genevieve Martinez, Deputy Clerk Krystle Hidalgo, County Sheriff Jim Stewart, County Treasurer Christina Mutz, County Auditor Brenda Treviño, Emergency Management Coordinator Cindy Stafford, Development Director Tammi Burleson, Human Resource Specialist Jalyn T. Bodiford, Assistant County Attorney Evelyn Huron, and Wilson County Public Libraries Director Nicki Stohr.
Floresville City Council
Meeting: Special meeting, July 3, 4-4:18 p.m.
•Actions:
•Approved the canvassing and tabulation of the June 24 city council runoff election, in which a total of 207 votes were cast; Jessica Rodriguez-Green received 151 votes, and Dustin “Dusty” Honesto received 56 votes
•Approved a resolution declaring the results of the June 24 runoff election
•Witnessed the swearing-in of Rodriguez-Green as a city councilman. (See related photo on page 2A.)
In attendance: Mayor Cissy Gonzalez-Dippel and council members Terry Rolland, Beatrice Ximenez- Marroquin, Donald Scee, and incoming Councilman Jessica Rodriguez-Green; City Manager Andy Joslin, Assistant City Manager Monica Veliz, City Secretary Evelyn Garcia, Municipal Court Judge Johnny Villarreal, and police Chief Lorenzo Herrera.
St. Hedwig City Council
Meeting: Special called meeting, June 27, 6-6:22 p.m.
Action:
•Approved the first of three variance requests made by R&D Custom Builders for an 87-acre development on St. Hedwig Road to not require sidewalks in the new neighborhood. The city’s subdivision ordinance requires sidewalks, and Mayor pro tem John Hafner broke a tie vote to pass the request, after councilmen Beck and Wiatrek voted against and councilmen Padalecki and Franckowiak voted in favor.
•Denied two additional variance requests for the same development, to allow a cul-de-sac length to exceed the required 600 feet and to not have to provide provisions for the proper projection of streets into adjoining unsubdivided areas.
In attendance: Mayor pro tem John Hafner and council members Dwayne Padalecki, Russell Beck, Caid Franckowiak, and Justin Wiatrek; City Manager Maria Hernandez, City Marshal Mark Soto, City Secretary Janice Staudt, and R&D Custom Builders representative Jeremy Doege.
Information per St. Hedwig City Manager Maria Hernandez.
Wilson County Emergency Services District 4
(Central and western Wilson County, including Floresville and Poth)
Meeting: Regular meeting, July 8, 10-11:35 a.m.
Actions:
•Approved paying nine bills presented for payment and ratifying 20 payments already made and 34 debit purchases presented
•Authorized the purchase of a ventilator and cardiac pump for responding to heart attacks.
Discussion, no action:
•Discussed the recent legislation relating to the carrying of firearms by EMS staff while on duty
•Discussed the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office’s failure to implement an additional dispatch console for dedicated fire and EMS responses
•Discussed training, coming classes, and equipment needs.
In attendance: Commission President Bill Gleeson, Secretary Kenneth “Buck” Griffin, Treasurer Stephen Moore, and Assistant Treasurer Anthony Flores; district EMS Director David Adams, EMS Training Officer William Miles, and general counsel Tom Caldwell. Vice President Sherri Demmer participated by phone.
Information per board counsel Tom Caldwell.
Wilson County Development Review Committee
Meeting: Regular meeting, July 6, 9-10:36 a.m.
Actions:
•Approved a plat variance for 10.01 acres in the 200 block of Twin Lakes Drive in the Sutherland Springs area to be split into an 8-acre tract and a 2.01-acre tract
•Approved a plat variance for property at 2407 C.R. 475 in the Union Valley area to facilitate the sale of two 2-acre tracts out of 30 acres
•Approved a plat variance for property at 1744 S.H. 97 East northeast of Floresville to facilitate the sale of 2.3 acres out of 70.76 acres with rental properties
•Approved a plat variance for property at 317 C.R. 257 northeast of Poth to allow splitting out 3.97 acres with a house from 57.3 acres.
Discussion, no action:
•Discussed road construction.
In attendance: County Development Director Tammi Burleson, committee chairman; at-large members Ed Hrna and Alton Tieken, county commissioners Gary Martin, Russell King, Jeffery Pierdolla, and John “Scott” Akin, and Assistant County Attorney Evelyn Huron.
City approves $35k hotel/motel funds for 2023 Peanut Festival
Audio articles on Wilson County News made possible by C Street Gift Shop in downtown Floresville!
Floresville Peanut Festival Association President Brenda Treviño DAVID DEKUNDER/Wilson County News
[Video below] The Floresville City Council gave a huge financial boost to one of the city’s biggest events at its June 22 meeting.
Councilmembers unanimously approved allocating $35,000 to the Floresville Peanut Festival Association, which will hold its 79th annual festival Oct. 12-14.
The $35,000 for the festival is coming from revenues from the city’s hotel/motel tax fund.
According to City Finance Director Cynthia Sturm, the hotel/motel fund had $50,000 for this year, with $15,000 of that already being utilized, leaving $35,000 in the balance for the festival association.
Brenda Treviño, Floresville Peanut Festival Association president, told the council that last year’s event drew a record-breaking 22,000 attendees. She said festival organizers anticipate 25,000 attending various activities for this year’s event.
Festival activities include a parade – which Treviño anticipates will have 275 entries from across the state and region — entertainment, games, and washer tournaments.
“The Floresville Peanut Festival truly defines our city, showcasing our historic downtown and beautiful courthouse, while continuing to recognize the impact of peanut farming in our community,” Treviño said.
Based on surveys of major motels and hotels in the city conducted in 2022, Treviño said she is expecting an increase of approximately 70 percent in full or near capacity for motels and hotels during the festival weekend.
The $35,000 granted from the city to the festival will be utilized in promoting and marketing the festival, including getting quality entertainment that will attract bigger crowds, Treviño said.
Councilman Donald Scee said the festival is the premier event in the city. He said the festival deserved to get the “lion’s share” of the motel/hotel tax funds because it draws more people to the city.
Agreeing with Scee, Mayor pro tem Terry Rolland said the festival’s royal court does a wonderful job of representing the city at other area events.
“You guys are our advertisement, you pull it in,” Rolland said.
The council also heard from Brady Kosub of M&S Engineering, the city’s engineering consultants, on the need to update the city’s Master Plan. Kosub said the current Master Plan, put into place in 2012, analyzed the city’s infrastructure based on growth from the Eagle Ford Shale oilfield. Now, he said, the city needs to update the plan based on projections for new growth coming from San Antonio, which he said is more sustained and more consistent. The agenda item was discussion only, with City Manager Andy Joslin recommending the city move forward with updating the Master Plan.
In other business, the council:
•Appointed Wayne Alexander to fill the last remaining open seat on the seven-member Floresville Economic Development Corp. (FEDC) board. Councilman Eduardo Villarreal made the motion to appoint Alexander. According to the application he submitted to the city, Alexander, a Floresville resident, works for EAS Resources in Kenedy.
•Went into executive session for an hour to consult with special counsel on the employment agreement with City Attorney Sylvia Rodriguez; no action was taken.
•Deliberated in another hour-long executive session to evaluate Joslin, but took no action in open session.
•Heard a proposal for a pay increase for city staff. See related story, see above.
View WCN’s video coverage of these meetings online at wilsoncountynews.com/category/video-vault - Wilson County Development Review Comm. June 1 • Floresville Council, May 30 • FEDC May 31
Floresville Electric Light & Power System
Meeting: Regular meeting, May 31, 8:30-10:53 a.m.
Actions:
•Approved 12 new governance policies and policy documents.
•Learned that the utility had...
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Audio articles on Wilson County News made possible by C Street Gift Shop in downtown Floresville!
The very mention of “Texas” conjures vivid images of wide-open spaces, gushers, cattle drives, cotton fields, and other stuff of legends. Despite this enduring legacy, a growing majority of population and economic activity is concentrated in metropolitan areas. Nonetheless, the rural parts of the state are generating a notable component of overall growth and, in the process, providing much of the fuel, food, and fiber that sustains us. Let’s focus on my roots and this key segment of Texas.
A Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is a county or group of counties with at least one urban center with a population of 50,000 or more. Adjacent counties with economic ties to the central area are also included. In Texas, 80 of 254 counties are in MSAs. They represent less than 20% of the land area, but about 88% of output, 92% of employment, and 90% of population.
Rural counties are expanding, but not at the torrid pace of the state as a whole. Over the past 20 years, rural population increased by 9.4%, compared to 38.3% across all of Texas. Rural employment rose by 18.8%, much slower than the 44.4% overall.
We are projecting that the growth gap will persist but narrow substantially over the coming two decades. Our forecast calls for population gains of 18.1% in rural counties through 2043, notably slower than the Texas increase of 30.1%, but not as dramatically lower as recently observed. For employment, we anticipate an increase of 25.6% for rural jobs, compared to 33.4% for the state. (Of course, some counties may be reclassified as sprawl persists.)
Although agriculture immediately comes to mind, this sector accounts for relatively few jobs. Most people are working in health care, education, retail, food services, public administration, manufacturing, construction, and other segments. The crops and livestock they produce, however, are an important part of our export base and vital to economic wellbeing.
Of particular note is the concentration of jobs in oil and gas extraction, which isn’t surprising given that most of the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford, and other plays are in rural areas. In fact, labor productivity in rural areas is significantly higher than elsewhere. Between oil and gas (where enormous value is created with a few people) and agriculture (where one farmer and a sophisticated tractor can work wonders), that pattern will persist. Rural regions also boast major concentrations of renewable energy and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Population and employment expansion has been and will continue to be concentrated in metropolitan areas. While rural counties face many notable challenges going forward, they will continue to expand and support key elements of Texas production and exports – not to mention defining much of our heritage and identity. Stay safe!
_
Dr. M. Ray Perryman is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group (www.perrymangroup.com), which has served the needs of over 3,000 clients over the past four decades.
NOTE: Items posted to the WCN Blog Pages are the opinions of the writer, and do not necessarily the opinion of the Wilson County News, its management, or staff.
TxDot offers tips when sharing the road with large trucks
TxDOT is reminding all drivers to take extra care when driving around trucks because crashes between passenger vehicles and 18-wheelers and other large trucks can lead to death or serious injury.
Thousands of large trucks and 18-wheeler tractor trailers transport goods along busy Texas highways every day. Weighing 20 times more than an average car, “big rigs” require more time to accelerate and de...
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View all of WCN’s video coverage of these and other meetings at wilsoncountynews.com/category/video-vault – FELPS June 29, Floresville ISD June 27, La Vernia ISD June 28, Stockdale ISD June 27
Wilson County Emergency Services District 4
(Central and western Wilson County, including Floresville and Poth)
Meeting: Regular meeting, June 28, 6-7:51 p.m.
Action:
•Authorized payment o...
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The price of gasoline remains elevated, with the national average briefly surpassing $5 per gallon before retreating modestly. In parts of the country (particularly those distant from refineries), it’s already well above that level. Unfortunately, I think that prices will generally stay relatively high through the summer driving season before abating to some extent.
One plan which has been put forth is to pause the federal gasoline tax. This approach would likely provide some modest relief in gasoline prices to the extent that the savings are passed along to consumers. However, the federal tax is only $0.18 (less than 4% of the current cost), so such a move is not a game changer. In California, where prices exceed $6 per gallon, the legislature has acted to send rebates. Whether federal or state, these types of actions may help consumers, but don’t shift the underlying market dynamics. In fact, how much gets passed through relates to some arcane interactions of elasticities of supply and demand, which I will spare you at this point.
As with any product or service, supply and demand are clearly important. As prices rise, people tend to buy less while suppliers have an incentive to increase the amount they are producing. We are indeed seeing this phenomenon, with demand for gasoline lower this year than last even though the economy continues to add jobs and people are ready to get out and about after being restricted by the pandemic. During the summer, demand will likely remain strong as people take advantage of being able to travel more freely. With airlines dealing with challenges which are causing waves of flight cancellations and delays, road trips have even greater appeal. Once we get into the fall, consumption will decline. Longer-term trends, such as greater fuel efficiency and greater use of hybrid and electric vehicles, will gradually impact usage patterns.
As to supply, oil production is ramping up in the Permian Basin (by far the largest oil production region in the US), as well as the Eagle Ford, the Bakken, and even Saudi Arabia. That should help, as about 59% of the cost of gasoline is the underlying crude oil. However, refining capacity is constrained due to declines during the pandemic, the shutdown of a sizable Louisiana facility emanating from Hurricane Ida, and the transition of several plants into making biofuels. Nonetheless, facilities and expansions are coming online, non-critical maintenance is being postponed, and we’re importing more refined products.
In short, the summer months will likely see high costs remain in effect. The good news is that there are factors of both supply and demand that are beginning to put downward pressure on gasoline prices. That’s the power of markets. Stay safe.
________
Dr. M. Ray Perryman is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group (www.perrymangroup.com), which has served the needs of over 2,500 clients over the past four decades.
NOTE: Items posted to the WCN Blog Pages are the opinions of the writer, and do not necessarily the opinion of the Wilson County News, its management, or staff.
STEER marks 10-year anniversary, celebrates .robust oil and gas industry’ benefits
KENEDY — In honor of the 10th anniversary of its establishment, the South Texas Energy and Economic Roundtable (STEER) hosted a 10-Year Tribute Luncheon May 25 to look back on the past decade of environmental, economic, operational and community benefits in the South Texas region from a robust oil and natural gas sector.
In opening remarks at the event, Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil &am...
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‘Midland, not Moscow!’ — Texas offers a global antidote to Moscow’s aggression
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Texas can supply the world with its energy needs and blaze a trail that reduces greenhouse gas emissions while building clean energy infrastructure.
Just as the Texas Revolution gave rise to the battle cry, Remember the Alamo, today’s energy crisis gives rise to another — Midland, not Moscow.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent international realignment of energy exports transformed a regional war into a global energy emergency. The world’s safety and security are at stake. Texas is the new frontier for cleaner fossil fuel production and an expanded portfolio that includes breakthrough technologies such as carbon capture, hydrogen, and geothermal energy.
Propelled by a substantial increase in production over the past decade in the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale, the U.S. recently surpassed Russia and Saudi Arabia as the world’s largest oil producer. In 2020, the U.S. supplied nearly one in five barrels consumed worldwide, 50 percent more than Russia.
This success story is not enough, however. Global markets need more energy and consumers of every stripe want cleaner, affordable energy. Texas can help meet this growing demand — in part by leveraging newly available federal funds and innovations — especially since the Russians are unlikely to play fair or clean.
Texas should first use its existing oil and gas resources advantageously, producing oil with the lowest possible emissions and further differentiating our production from Russia’s. By increasing efficiency and the use of renewable energy in the production process, and leading the development of carbon capture technology and preventing methane leakage system-wide, Texas can reduce industry emissions by 40 percent. To achieve this goal, however, both industry and state regulators must identify ways to certify cleaner hydrocarbon production.
Norway, Saudi Arabia, Oman and others are already pursuing these 21st century strategies. By taking the lead on them, Texas can supply the world with its energy needs and blaze a trail that reduces greenhouse gas emissions while building clean energy infrastructure.
Second, Texas must counter Moscow’s energy aspirations by adding zero-emissions technologies to the state’s energy portfolio. A recent report from Texas 2036 and the Center for Public Finance at Rice University’s Baker Institute of Public Policy shows that hydrogen, carbon capture technology and geothermal energy can satisfy the growing global demand for cleaner energy. Moreover, recent congressional legislation makes billions available for these emerging technologies.
By taking a lead in these emerging industries that are part of an energy expansion, Texas and the U.S. will gain a significant competitive advantage over Russia and others in global energy markets, improving global sustainability in the process.
Russia produces some of the world’s dirtiest oil and gas. A recent analysis by RMI indicates that Russian gas creates at least twice as many emissions as Texas gas. And a scientific study using satellites detected Russia’s leaky oil and gas systems, which can be seen from space and are estimated to emit one million tons of methane per year — three times more than the U.S. In fact, each “ultra emitter” (over 25 tons of methane per hour) spotted spews as much carbon dioxide equivalent emissions in a year as four million cars, melting the permafrost along the pipelines.
The world will face a significant impediment to achieving sustainable goals if Russia is allowed to move forward with its plans to meet the projected doubling of global energy demand by 2050 through its Energy Strategy for 2035. Their first major foray is a $140 billion Siberian megaproject called Vostok designed to export millions of tons of oil through the Arctic skirting the North Pole. Russia’s Faustian bargain is that climate change will melt sea ice and open the northern passage to their unrestricted energy exports.
If the war in Ukraine has taught us anything, it’s that Russia’s energy hegemony will not bring peace. If Russia reclaims the energy mantle, price manipulation and supply embargos may well follow — Russia has used these weapons against the EU and its former Soviet neighbors time and again.
Given Russia’s designs and methods, America’s strategic energy race is the race of a lifetime. And Texas is uniquely positioned to lead the nation’s counter to Russia’s plans. Precisely how we do this is key.
It is not enough to boycott Russian oil and gas imports and investments while the war rages. There is too much at stake to allow Russia to expand its energy dominance.
Instead, the U.S. can double down on cleaner energy now. There’s no place better than Texas to make the first move.
Deborah Gordon is a senior principal at RMI and senior fellow at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. Her new book, No Standard Oil (Oxford University Press) was published in January 2022. Jeremy Mazur is a Senior Policy Advisor at Texas 2036. This op ed first ran in the Houston Chronicle.
NOTE: Items posted to the WCN Blog Pages are the opinions of the writer, and do not necessarily the opinion of the Wilson County News, its management, or staff.
Small church reaches out beyond Fashing community
Only the doors and windows add color to this “study in gray” of Fashing United Methodist Church on an overcast day. COURTE SY/Fashing UMC
The Fashing United Methodist Church currently serves a small congregation, but it has withstood time and draws attendance from miles around.
Pastor Milby Glenn Henneke told the Wilson County News that parishioners — who number only about 45 — come not only...
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Members of a hydraulic fracking crew get covered in oil Aug. 17, as they work to secure a well near Dewees, west of Poth, that got pressurized by their activity and started spewing oil skyward. The well — deemed abandoned — will be plugged by the Texas Railroad Commission. COURTESY/Mark Hosek. Send photos to reader@wcn-online.com for
Oil spurting into the air last Tuesday reminded one Wilson Co...
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Gerald Sekula celebrates 50 years in a career you can bank on
Gerald Sekula stands in front of the vault that has been at the Falls City National Bank in Falls City since the bank was built in 1907. DEVAN SUTTON/Wilson County News
Could you imagine enjoying your first job so much that you never left?
This is the case for Falls City native Gerald Sekula, who celebrated 50 years of service to the Falls City National Bank in June.
Gerald, an alumnus of...
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Carrol Wayne Lake
Carrol Wayne Lake, 72, of Hobson, Texas, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in Floresville after a courageous battle with cancer. Carrol was born Nov. 21, 1948, in Houston to the Rev. Clayton A. Lake and Willene Wommack Lake. Carrol was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and devoted friend to all who crossed his path.
Carrol was a 1966 graduate of Kenedy High School and attended Bee County College. Carrol married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Jan Ada Jimerson, on Dec. 6, 1969, in the First Baptist Church of Kenedy and they were blessed with two sons.
Carrol began his career as a milk truck driver, and was the co-owner with Richard Foster of Homeport Auto- Chrysler Dodge in Aransas Pass. With a growing family, Carrol joined Helmuth Schuenemann doing landtitle work. With his love of the “chase,” he started his own company, Carrol W. Lake and Associates. With the growing interest in the Eagle Ford Shale, Carrol and his wife Jan created C.W. Lake and Associates, LTD, and C.W. Lake Mgt., LLC. Later, their son Chris and his wife, Angela, joined the company, and together they built one of the most respected Land Energy Brokerage Service Companies in the state of Texas. Carrol retired in January 2014 from the oil and gas industry. He remained active in his rental property management and acquisitions in Port Aransas and his beloved second home of Rockport.
Some of his most treasured accolades were the awards for the 2013 Best Landman for C.W. Lake and Associates by Texas Top Producers, being featured in Texas Monthly Magazine, 2013 Friend of Karnes County Youth Show, Honorary Chapter FFA Degree, and the Business of the Year in 2010 by the Chamber of Commerce of Kenedy. Holding on to his youth, Carrol was a member of the Legends of Kenedy from 1965-66, cherishing lifelong friendships with his teammates, who visited and remembered those glory days over coffee, charity baseball games, and class reunions.
Carrol enjoyed farming, ranching, and spending time in Rockport with family and friends. He was a constant presence at anything to do with the Falls City Independent School District and the Beaver nation. Carrol’s grandchildren filled his years with unconditional love, joy, laughter, and pride as they tempted his patience, excelled, and “played” hard.
Carrol was a man of faith and had a deep love of God. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Kenedy, former school board member for the Kenedy ISD, member of Karnes City Chamber of Commerce, Kenedy Chamber of Commerce, Karnes County Toys for Tots, and the Kenedy Volunteer Fire Department. He served on numerous boards and committees, including Karnes County Youth Livestock Show, Falls City Education Foundation, co-founder of the Polish Invitational Fishing Tournament-Rockport, Falls City Youth League, Falls City All-Sports Booster Club, and the American Association of Professional Landmen. Carrol enjoyed early morning coffee with the Breakfast Club at the Palace Café, the official Falls City roundtable of friends who “solved the world’s problems” and solidified the phrase, “If you heard it at the Palace, it has to be true.” Carrol also held and relished the title as one of the few people who could “put one over on Vicki.”
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather William Schulz; and brothers-in-law Helmuth Schuenemann and Robert Best.
Carrol is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jan Ada Jimerson Lake; and his sons, Chris Lake (Angela) of Falls City and Clayton Lake of San Antonio. He was blessed with four grandchildren, granddaughter Kalin Lake and fiancé Ryan Pawelek; and grandsons Tristan Sittler, Brady Lake, and Braxton Lake. He is also survived by his sister, Cindy (Kenny) Rose of New Braunfels; brothers Clay (Martha) Lake of San Antonio and Gene (Becky) Lake of Seguin; brothers- and sisters-in-law Tommy J. (Linda) Jimerson of Choate, Jerry (Julie) Jimerson of Arlington, Jo Ellen Jimerson Shuenemann of Kenedy, and Jeanne Jimerson Best of Cuero; and numerous nieces, nephews, and special lifelong friends.
Visitation was held on Sunday, Aug. 8, from 5-7 p.m. in the Eckols Chapel in Kenedy.
A funeral service was held on Monday at 10 a.m. in the funeral chapel, officiated by the Rev. Matt Singleton.
Interment followed in the Choate Cemetery in Choate.
Serving as pallbearers were Brady Lake, Braxton Lake, Tristan Sittler, John Bailey, Gery Jendrusch, Ernest Jendrusch, Ivan Jaskinia, Craig Nieschwietz, and Ryan Pawelek.
Memorial donations may be made to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center-Houston or the Choate Cemetery Association, c/o David Morgan, 181 PVT Road 8200, Kenedy, TX 78119.
Courage Ranch receives ConocoPhillips grant
Courage Ranch of Floresville is among 64 organizations in the Eagle Ford area awarded grants recently by ConocoPhillips. The petroleum organization announced the presentation June 10 of more than $230,000 in charitable grants to area organizations. Courage Ranch offers equine-assisted psychotherapy services.
CASA of South Texas and the Community Council of South Central Texas also are recipient...
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Wilson County and Floresville must plan to face future
At no time has it been more important for people to vote than now, even as the pandemic lingers and we face an immigration crisis that President Biden finally admits to.
People demand change, and that change must start locally. But how?
If you haven’t yet received your 2021 Notice of Appraised Value from the appraisal district, you may be surprised that you are sitting on a gold mine. Well,...
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Texas Educators and Parents Should Watch World Oil Prices
Audio articles on Wilson County News made possible by C Street Gift Shop in downtown Floresville!
Many educators and parents may not realize the connection between world oil prices and local education funding, but new research connects world oil prices with Texas public school funding, and it shows clearly that billions of dollars K-12 schools rely upon to educate students could be at risk if world oil prices decline in the future.
In 2019, oil and gas exploration and production activity generated $13.4 billion in public finances in Texas — about $6 billion of that for public K-12 school funding, or 20% of the $32 billion annual expenditure. The money comes from local property taxes, state severance taxes paid by energy companies, royalties generated from oil and gas production on state-owned land, and multiple other taxes and fees.
While world oil prices in the daily spot market have begun to recover, this research focused on realistic, long-term scenarios of energy prices for the next 15 years. It was intended to provoke a thoughtful evaluation of what Texas should do to better insulate its economy, state government and school funding mechanisms, such as the Permanent School Fund, if world oil prices decline over the long term.
The analysis examined the financial impact of four oil price scenarios on schools and other local and state budget needs. Those include oil prices consistently remain at $60 per barrel; Texas experiences either one or two boom-bust cycles in which prices fluctuate between $30 and $40 per barrel; or oil drops from $40 to $30 per barrel between now and 2036.
With an increasingly volatile, global energy market that could impact the world oil prices, it’s critical that our state plan for these potential future scenarios.
If oil prices remain at $60 per barrel for the next 15 years, energy production is expected to generate about 1.9% more per year for public school finances through 2036. That’s slightly above the anticipated student enrollment growth each year.
But under less favorable scenarios, revenue for public education would fall steeply. For example, if oil prices decline from $40 to $30, contributions to K-12 education would fall by 31%, or $1.8 billion a year, from 2019 levels. The impact will be greater in areas such as the Permian and Eagle Ford Basins, where the economy relies heavily on energy production.
In the aggregate, state and local governments and school districts could lose $29 billion over the 15-year period.
The impact will be seen in the Texas Permanent School Fund, a $47 billion endowment designated for the benefit of public schools. Run by the State Board of Education and the General Land Office, which largely invest independently of each other, the fund makes distributions directly to school districts. It pays for things like textbooks and technology and guarantees bonds issued by local school districts.
The Permanent School Fund received $1.1 billion in royalties from oil and gas activity on state-owned lands in 2019. Under three of the four world oil price scenarios studied, that would fall as much as 69% through 2036, leaving nearly $10 billion less available for investment and future distribution for public education.
This year, lawmakers have the opportunity to better prepare for these scenarios by streamlining how the Permanent School Fund is managed, generating more returns from the state’s rainy day fund, and diversifying the sources of K-12 funding.
With so much riding on the oil and natural gas sector, Texas can help future-proof our state and local budgets by using this report to strengthen our long-term financial forecasting and planning.
Margaret Spellings, former secretary of education, is chief executive of Texas 2036.
Brett Perlman, former commissioner of the Texas Public Utility Commission, is chief executive of Center for Houston’s Future.
NOTE: Items posted to the WCN Blog Pages are not the opinion of the Wilson County News, its management, or staff. The opinions expressed herein are those of the writer alone and WCN cannot vouch for said statements.
MEETING WATCH
Stockdale City Council
Meeting: Regular meeting, April 6, 6:30-7:42 p.m.
Actions:
•Appointed Joseph Neyland as councilmember for District V to the Stockdale City Council; he replaces Neal Bennett, who has resigned
•Appointed Frank Bain as a Stockdale Economic Development Corp. board member
•Approved to reopen the City Hall lobby, Stockdale Community Building, and city parks to pre-C...
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