Austin Energy Has $2.3 Billion Deal in Works for East Texas Biomass Plant

Also, Houston Port Authority plans Bayport projects, environmental improvements for Bayport Container Terminal and a new LEED-certified terminal administration building.

Port of Houston Authority Approves $10 Million LEED Project

The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority approved approximately $10 million in environmental improvements for Bayport Container Terminal, to include a future LEED-rated structure, and is seeking bids for $24 to $29 million in projects.

The commission approved a construction contract to Forde Construction Co. Inc. of Houston for Concrete Replacement at Wharf Nos. 23, 26 and 29, located near the Turning Basin Terminal, for $2.03 million. The concrete pavement at the bulkhead line at the wharfs, originally constructed in the 1960s, is in need of replacement. Additionally, concrete pavement at various locations along the Lower Level Road need replacement.

The commission also approved advertising and receipt of competitive sealed proposals for Bayport Terminal Maintenance and Repair Building, Phase One, for $16 to $18.5 million. Required services include the facility design for a building of approximately 65,500 sq ft with maintenance offices, equipment repair bays, parts and specified equipment storage. The project site work includes adjoining parking, service roads and utilities.

Commissioners approved advertising and receipt of competitive sealed proposals for Bayport Container Terminal Administration Building for $8 to $10.5 million. The project includes a two-story building of approximately 30,000 sq ft for operations, customs and future tenants. PHA will seek certification by the U.S. Green Building Council as a LEED structure.

The commission approved advertising and receipt of qualifications for engineering and design services, construction management services, project coordination team representation, geotechnical services, surveying, marsh management and other general assistance for the Houston Ship Channel project and beneficial use sites. As the local sponsor for the Houston-Galveston Navigation Channels project to deepen and widen the Houston Ship Channel, the PHA is responsible for the local share, and has been involved with all facets of the project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The initial construction phase of the project is complete and it is in the deferred construction phase, in which additional placement sites and beneficial use sites are being constructed.

Construction Could Begin in Early ’09 on $2.3 Billion Biomass Plant

The city of Austin recently held an informational town hall meeting regarding Austin Energy’s plans to purchase all power produced by a proposed 100 MW biomass plant in East Texas. The purchase agreement would be for a 20-year period at a projected cost of $2.3 billion.

Officials from Nacogdoches Power LLC presented plans for the operational dynamics of the proposed plant. Construction on the biomass utility could begin by early 2009, according to a company representative. Nacogdoches Power is developing the new 100 MW wood-fired biomass electric generating facility, which will consist of a wood-fuel-handling feed system, a wood-fired system generator, a condensing steam-turbine generator with an evaporative cooling tower and auxiliary support equipment. The company says the project will employ the latest in boiler and emissions control technology to achieve the best available emissions. Biomass fuel will be comprised of forest residues, whole tree chips, municipal tree waste and mill residue.

Austin Energy’s general manager Roger Duncan presented the utility company’s strategy behind the purchase power agreement and the cost to Austin Energy customers.

Texas Association of Builders Partners for Storm-Water Training

Keeping Texas waterways free of storm water pollution is the goal behind an agreement signed by the Texas Association of Builders, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The agreement is a national first and commits Texas home-building companies to work with the state and federal agencies to take steps to prevent storm water pollution.

Under the agreement, the three partners will work together on a pilot program to educate, inform and assist home builders with meeting federal and state storm water regulations.

Building new homes creates runoff that generally flows untreated to the nearest waterway, which can lead to water quality problems and harm to fish and plants, say the agencies. Education and assistance with storm-water controls can help home builders reduce storm water pollution.

TAB members that complete training and a self-assessment checklist will be able to display the "Storm Water Self-Certified" sticker on construction permits as part of the agreement. Sites that display the certification sticker would be a lower priority for routine inspections.

EPA Awards Funds to Houston, Laredo to Redevelop Brownfields

The city of Houston was awarded $50,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency to help develop a solar energy plant on the site of a former landfill. Funding for the project is part of more than $500,000 in grants announced today by EPA for 16 Brownfields Sustainability Pilots nationwide.

The city of Laredo will receive $25,000 to help add green building features to the new recreation center it plans to build at the Killam Lake brownfields site. The Houston project seeks to revitalize a 300-acre former landfill site located near downtown.

Funding from the EPA will help with evaluating the various environmental, engineering, and regulatory issues involved in the project. Assistance will also help conduct solar energy production and financial feasibility studies.

The Laredo recreation center project will incorporate sustainable design, storm-water management systems and native vegetation to conserve water resources. City officials expect to make the Killam Lake site and the new recreation center an integral part of the city’s master trail system plan along Chacon Creek.

Texas Water Development Board Awards $6.3 Million to LaFeria

The Texas Water Development Board awarded a $6.3 million grant/loan to the city of La Feria in Cameron County from the Economically Distressed Areas Program to finance improvements to the water and wastewater systems.

The city will utilize the proceeds for increased construction costs for water and wastewater facilities to serve eight previously identified EDAP eligible areas. Proceeds will also be used for additional EDAP components of the new wastewater treatment plant for existing city customers.

The water project includes the expansion of the existing water treatment plant from 2 million gallons per day to 3.45 mgd and the installation of 36,907 lin ft of 6 to 12 in. water distribution lines. The project will provide first-time water service to 84 households.

The wastewater project involves expansion of the collection system and construction of a new 1.25 mgd wastewater treatment plant. The project improves sewer service to 1,725 existing city sewer customers and provides first-time sewer service to 440 households.

Transit Mix Concrete & Materials Co. Earns Green-Star Status

Transit Mix Concrete & Materials Co. Plant No. 2068 in East Texas’ Sevens Point recently earned the status as the first U.S. ready mixed concrete plant to earn the Green-Star designation by the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association.

The Green-Star program is a plant-specific certification that utilizes an Environmental Management System based on a model of continual improvement.

Transit Mix Concrete & Materials Co. Inc., a subsidiary of Trinity Industries Inc. headquartered in Dallas, is a multi-industry company that owns a variety of businesses providing products and services to the industrial, energy, transportation and construction sectors.

CB&I Awarded Contract for Oil Sands Storage Terminal Project

CB&I, through its Horton business unit, was awarded an additional contract - valued at $400 million - by Suncor Energy Services Inc. under an existing contract to design and build a storage terminal as part of the Suncor Voyageur Upgrader oil sands project. The original contract was awarded in July 2006 and the total contract value is approximately $500 million.