NEWS BRIEFS Fort Bend County considers campaign to challenge broadband map
BY DANIEL WEEKS
for funds from the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program. Commissioners moved the item to a closed session to receive legal advice on the potential campaign. The amount of funding was not deter- mined for the campaign at the public section of the meeting, and the discussion was tabled for future consideration. The item was discussed in closed session again May 9 with no action taken. Fort Bend County previously conducted a feasibility study that called for $36.8 million in improvements to the county’s broadband infra- structure. George identied broadband improve- ments as a priority for the county this year. Community Impact previously reported the study calls for the construction of a “middle mile,” or a central network pathway of large cables capable of carrying most of the network trac. The middle mile would be installed underground and along main roads, interstates and highways. The Federal Communications Commission denes broadband as high-speed internet access that is more available and faster than traditional dial-up access. Asia Armour contributed to this report.
BROADBAND BOOST
Fort Bend County commissioners are consider- ing moves to improve county broadband infra- structure, including a prospective advertising campaign. On April 25, the county discussed the logistics of the campaign, which would call on citizens to submit a challenge to the Federal Communica- tions Commission National Broadband Map. The agenda item for the discussion indicated the county could use billboards along major roads, a method that was challenged by some commissioners. “Our message is a lot of information to try to get across to somebody driving 60 [mph] like I do down 50 [mph] freeways,” Precinct 3 Commis- sioner Andy Meyers joked. Meyers requested the campaign have a social media element, saying he believes it would be easier to communicate the county’s message this way. County Judge KP George indicated people would need broadband access to see the cam- paign if it was strictly on social media. A page on the county website calls for chal- lenges to the FCC National Broadband Map, stat- ing challenges could grant the county eligibility
Fort Bend County’s 2022 broadband feasibility study identi ed an estimated cost for sweeping broadband upgrades and some potential federal and state funding sources.
County contribution $11.03 million
$36.76 million TOTAL:
Alternative funding source $25.73 million
Capital Projects Fund: $500 million Middle Mile Grant: $1 billion FUNDING OPTIONS
BEAD Program: $42.5 billion Digital Equity Program: $2.75 billion
SOURCE: COBB FENDLEY COMMUNITY IMPACT
ERCOT projects record demand for electricity this summer
EpiCenter and Houston Volleyball Academy strike deal
PROJECTED POWER NEEDS
ERCOT’s annual capacity, demand and reserves reports show a steady increase in projected energy demand each summer. Energy demand record set on July 20, 2022 Peak summer demand in megawatts 100K
BY HANNAH NORTON
reforms following Winter Storm Uri, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas said the power grid is “more reliable than ever.” But as Texas’ population contin- ues to grow, demand for electricity will begin to outpace the amount of available dispatchable power, which comes from sources such as natural gas and coal. This means Texas will need to rely on renew- able energy sources, such as wind and solar, to keep the lights on. Vegas likened the grid to a car: “It’s ready to run; it’s going to be reliable. However, we’re asking it to go further [than past summers] without adding more reliable fuel.” Unlike dispatchable sources, energy regulators cannot always count on the sun and wind to be there. Vegas said the highest-risk periods for the grid will be after 9 p.m., when it remains hot outside, but the sun has set and winds begin
BY ASIA ARMOUR
Texans could experience brown- outs due to record demand for power this summer, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas predicted. In its new Seasonal Assessment of Resource Adequacy report, Texas’ power grid operator antic- ipated peak demand could reach 82,739 megawatts on the hottest days. Last summer, the grid broke multiple records and reached peak demand of just over 80,000 megawatts July 20. Texans were asked to volun- tarily conserve energy twice in July, but ERCOT did not issue any emergency alerts. At a May 3 news conference, ocials said they would communicate with Texans in advance if voluntary conserva- tion is recommended at any point this summer or the grid reaches emergency conditions. Thanks to over two years of
On May 9, ocials with the Epi- Center announced a partnership with the Houston Volleyball Academy to be its ocial home training and practice facility ahead of its August opening. HVA is regarded as one of the top volleyball clubs in Texas with a 30-year history, per a news release. The organization has coed programs for kids ages 7-18. To prepare for the HVA January volleyball tournament at the Epi- Center—set to draw more than 80 regional teams and occupy 12 courts— the venue will immediately begin hosting weekly training sessions in its multipurpose area upon opening in late summer. EpiCenter General Manager Toby Wyman said in the release the venue is focused on bringing “top-notch” sports and entertainment events to Fort Bend County.
80K
60K
40K
20K
0
2021 2022 2023*
SOURCE: ELECTRIC RELIABILITY COUNCIL OF TEXAS COMMUNITY IMPACT
*PROJECTED SUMMER PEAK
to die down. As a result, Texans could be asked to conserve energy or even face brownouts this summer. Brownouts typically occur when the ¨ow of electricity to certain areas is reduced to prevent a large-scale blackout.
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KATY NORTH EDITION • MAY 2023
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