A Message from Comptroller Susan Combs
Texas has long been a big energy state. As a leader in oil, gas and renewable energy production, our state remains at the forefront of the nation’s energy industry.
Texas has the resources and technical expertise to take advantage of a wide variety of renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, biofuels and hydrogen. The direction Texas takes in energy policy will help mark the path for the nation. The economic stimulus program is funding another facet of our energy industry – conservation.
As your strategic partner for local government management, the Comptroller’s office is pleased to present this issue of Texas Rising, which shares how some Texas communities are harnessing the state’s rich energy resources to create jobs while being environmentally responsible.
In our cover story, we share how communities from San Antonio to Dallas-Fort Worth are tapping the more than $38 million in stimulus funds available for alternative fuel vehicles. Our State Energy Conservation Office has set aside another $11 million for alternative fuels projects for local governments, public schools, public hospitals and other public entities.
Next we travel to Fort Stockton, where construction has begun on the $800 million Century Plant, which will separate carbon dioxide from natural gas. The project will fuel technology that will extend Permian Basin oil production and could bring up to 400 jobs during construction.
We also visit San Angelo, where Portuguese company Martifer has teamed with locally-based Hirschfeld Industries to build a massive wind tower manufacturing facility that will bring 225 new jobs to the area.
Given the theme of this issue, we just had to visit Energy, Texas, a community of 65 residents in Comanche County. Named for the go-getter settlers who founded it, Energy typifies the challenges of communities dependent on rural electric co-operatives.
In our “Partnering for Impact” section, we launch a recurring feature where we spotlight a member of our Local Government Assistance staff. This month we meet Bob Ashton, who represents the Comptroller’s office in 43 counties in the High Plains and Panhandle region. He also serves as the project leader for our Transparency Check-Up initiative, where we track just how transparent local governments, school districts and other entities across the state are with citizens’ hard-earned dollars.
When it comes to economic development, creating jobs and generating new levels of prosperity, local governments in Texas are focused on rising to the occasion every time.
Susan Combs
Tell Us Your Story!
E-mail us at texas.rising@cpa.state.tx.us.
We want to hear about your town’s economic development accomplishments. Whether you’ve landed a new employer or partnered with a university to train tomorrow’s work force, please tell us the unique solutions you’re using to create success in your community every day.