Two Texas Regions to Compete for FutureGen Project

Texas has proposed that the city of Jewett or the city of Odessa serve as the future home of the U.S. Department of Energy's $1 billion Clean Energy Project.

Texas Regions Vie for DOE Project

Gov. Rick Perry recently announced two Texas regions have been selected to compete to become home of the U.S. Department of Energy's FutureGen project, a $1 billion public-private initiative to build the world's first near-zero emissions coal power plant. The proposed sites are near Jewett, in East Texas, and Odessa in West Texas.

Perry made the announcement following the recommendation of the FutureGen Texas Advisory Board, a 17-member panel.

The East Texas bid is based at the Jewett mine between Bryan and Waco, which offers an abundant supply of lignite, a form of coal that can be converted into natural gas or liquid petroleum products. The Heart of Texas and Brazos River Valley regional councils of government jointly submitted the Jewett proposal. The Odessa bid showcases Texas' energy expertise, particularly in the long-term storage and transportation of carbon dioxide and the use of hydrogen by the petrochemical industry. The Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission submitted the Odessa proposal.

States competing for the FutureGen facility must submit proposals by May 4 to the FutureGen Industrial Alliance, a non-profit consortium of coal producers formed to partner with DOE for the initiative. The alliance is scheduled to announce its selection in fall 2007, with groundbreaking set for 2008. The facility is projected to be operational as early as 2010.

Operating as both a power plant and research facility, FutureGen will demonstrate the technical and economic viability of clean power generation from coal. The facility will gasify coal to generate electricity and produce hydrogen and capture and store carbon dioxide.

McCarthy Breaks Ground for PHA

Dallas-based McCarthy Building Cos. Inc. recently broke ground on two projects for the Port of Houston Authority. Both are scheduled for completion in September.

For the PHA's Bayport Phase I Marine Terminal Gate project, McCarthy's work will consist of site preparation, grading, concrete paving and striping of approximately 24 acres for a container truck gate and adjacent container yard. The project includes construction of a gate power substation and installation of all underground utilities, including water, storm water, sanitary, power and communications. The utilities will service 16 small buildings.

The project also includes the construction of one single-story building consisting of CMU block walls and metal roofing, as well as six inspection booths, three guard booths, two camera/sign bridges and five canopy structures. The buildings and gate service areas will be connected with a grid of communications conduits. McCarthy will install high-mast lighting, fire hydrants, perimeter fencing and minor landscaping.

McCarthy will relocate more than a mile of the Port Road and constructing connectors to Todville Road. The project will include asphalting an overlay to an existing portion of the Port Road to extend pavement life, as well as constructing a sound berm and a storm water detention pond as environmental features. The work includes relocation and upgrades to the adjacent city of Pasadena water main, enlarging it from 12- to 18-in. diameter, allowing provision of the required water volumes for Bayport.

The architect for the project is Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc.

CEMEX Expands in New Braunfels

CEMEX, S.A. de C.V. of Mexico will begin the construction of a second kiln at its Balcones Cement Plant in New Braunfels. The expansion is expected to be completed in 2008. The total value of the investment over the course of three years is approximately $220 million.

In announcing the expansion, CEMEX cited a strong demand for cement, coupled with a current shortfall in regional supplies, to support the firm's expansion of its Texas facility. The current production of the Balcones Cement Plant is approximately 1.1 million tons per year.

CEMEX received a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, allowing the firm to double its production capacity at Balcones.

Sterling Wins Two DFW Projects

Sterling Construction Co. Inc. recently announced that it was the low bidder on a $28 million Texas Department of Transportation job in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Sterling will build the interchange of IH-30 and SH 161, which encompasses the construction of three bridges, major storm drainage systems, 300,000 cu. yds. of excavation and concrete paving of SH 161. Work is expected to begin by the end of 2006 and complete in 2008.

Sterling's chairman and CEO Patrick Manning said the value of the award superseded the $21 million Dallas/Ft. Worth record the firm had previously announced "and substantially increases our backlog in that region."