Convenience Big Store: Developers answer Texas' call for new natural gas power plants

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Developers answer Texas' call for new natural gas power plants

Texas leaders are big on building new natural gas power plants — and it looks like the effort is gaining traction around the state.

Some municipalities and quasi-governmental agencies are teaming up with private developers to support new plants. If their efforts succeed, they would add 55 gigawatts to the Texas grid and nearly double ERCOT's gas capacity.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick led the charge last year to set aside billions in funds for new energy (see: natural gas) projects around the state. Last week, he issued a statement celebrating the state's progress to date and saying Texas must "ensure we maintain reliable power under any circumstance."

Claire Hao has the full story — and it's a good one. Read it here.

Cayla Harris, state government reporter

cayla.harris@hearst.com

Who's up, who's down

Up: Texas voters (and the privacy of their ballots).

The Secretary of State's Office issued emergency guidance today telling local elections officials to redact additional personal information from completed ballots they plan to release through open records requests. The move comes after several outlets, including Current Revolt, Votebeat and the Texas Tribune, confirmed that some ballots could be linked back to voters using publicly available information.

Down: Ben Mostyn.

The San Antonio Texas House candidate was arrested Wednesday on charges of DWI and unlawful carrying of a weapon.

What do you think? Hit reply and let me know.

What else is going on in Texas

People add heart-shaped balloons to the makeshift memorial honoring the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting on Friday, May 24, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Friday marked two years since 19 fourth-graders and two teachers were killed by an 18-year-old gunman in the deadliest school shooting in Texas history.

Photo by: Sam Owens, San Antonio Express-News

Suit: FedEx, UPS aided Uvalde shooter by shipping rifle, add-on

The companies violated state and federal laws and their own safety standards by shipping the teenage gunman an AR-15 rifle and a trigger system, the suit says.

Ben Mostyn, 45, was arrested Wednesday on charges of DWI and unlawful carrying of a weapon.

Photo by: Bexar County Sheriff's Office

GOP candidate for Texas House seat arrested in San Antonio

Ben Mostyn, 45, was arrested Wednesday on charges of DWI and unlawful carrying of a weapon.

An auction item at the Kickoff Reception for the 2012 Texas Democratic Party State Convention at the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Americas Hotel Thursday, June 7, 2012, in Houston.

Photo by: James Nielsen, Chronicle

New Texas Dem group hopes to pump millions into neglected party

The Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund is hoping that its long-term plan will eventually help Democrats become more competitive in statewide races.

Pick of the day

Photo by: Cayla Harris

If there's one thing you read today, let it be this narrative from the Houston Chronicle's Sarah Smith and Jhair Romero. The pair expertly recount the horrors experienced during the windstorm that swept through Southeast Texas last month.

What else I'm reading

Eric Killelea at Chron.com (PSA: different from the Houston Chronicle!) had a great piece out today about Houston Mayor John Whitmire and his views on the Israel-Hamas war. Though Houston Palestinian groups have urged Whitmire to call for a ceasefire, the mayor told attendees at an invite-only event at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center earlier this week that he stood up to those calls and "would not respond" to them.