At a recent meeting of the Texas Railroad Commission, the Texas Methane Flaring Coalition laid out a series of best-practice recommendations for industry and regulators to consider as we all move toward a goal of zero routine flaring in the Permian Basin. We’re proud to add our voice to this diverse group calling for action – everyone from…
The Texas Methane & Flaring Coalition (the Coalition), an alliance of Texas oil and natural gas trade associations and nearly 40 Texas energy companies, today announced they have launched new educational tools and resources for stakeholders, legislators and regulators, and the general public who are seeking to gain a better understanding of issues related to…
The Railroad Commission of Texas has released its latest strategic priorities in regulating the state’s oil and gas industry. The RRC’s Fiscal Year 2021 priorities are outlined in the Oil and Gas Monitoring and Enforcement Plan which can be found on the RRC website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/media/58340/og-s-plan-fy-2021.pdf Texas’ oil and gas industry is vital to the state’s budget and…
Ensuring that minorities, women, and other disadvantaged groups have fair access to economic opportunity is a top priority for the Harris County Commissioners Court. Minority and women-owned businesses play a vital role in the local economy and are driving the growth of new business and jobs in Harris County. Advancing fair and inclusive economic policies to bolster their long-term success will…
Construction has been one of the slowest industries to adopt technology. That’s partly cultural—folks in the industry like to solve problems with their own ingenuity. Many firms are still family owned, and there’s still a lot reverence for tradition. Plus, this is an industry with thin margins, where the first funding priorities are equipment and personnel….
With Needed Improvements to the Vital Survival Program Complete, Construction Official Urges Congress and the President to Act Quickly on Measures to Rebuild the Economy and Restore Jobs The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in reaction to the passage of the Paycheck Protection…
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that David J. Byrd will be the new National Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). Mr. Byrd will be the 18th National Director of the agency. Established by an Executive Order in 1969, MBDA is the only Federal agency solely dedicated to the…
Construction firms across the country are responding to recent protests against police brutality and racial injustice with statements calling for an end to inequity and with programs to attract and retain diverse team members. Turner Construction has posted messages of support on its websites and on social media. “Recent events are a stark and painful reminder of…
From response to recovery, architects can offer unique solutions for cities, towns, and villages.
On July 1, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is debuting their newly revised Minority/Women Business Enterprise Program, which Transitioned from an SBE Program for Construction under $1 million and Goods and Services to all local programs M/WBE “Anyone that wants to run an MWBE program needs a legal justification to have the program,” Tamela Lee, Vice…
June 2020
Port Houston, the largest port on the U.S. Gulf Coast, recently obtained its ISO 28000 recertification for its Security Management System (SMS) for the fifth time. This exceptional achievement was accomplished without any non-conformances. Port Houston in 2008 became the first port authority in the world to receive this international security designation, which outlines stringent…
William P. Hobby ranks third-best North American regional airport; Houston remains the only city in the Western Hemisphere with two four-star rated airports. Houston’s Airports shined once again at the 2020 Skytrax World Airport Awards by earning a long list of honors in various categories including World’s Top 100 Airports, Best Airport Dining, Best Airport…
Manhattan Construction Company, a top nationally-ranked construction firm, has appointed Layle McKelvey as director of community relations and inclusion in Houston. McKelvey will foster key relationships within city, county, and state government, lead Manhattan’s diversity and inclusion efforts, and drive engagement with local partners to enrich Manhattan’s overall benefit to our clients and community. While…
The Greater Houston Partnership today released a statement on behalf of its president and CEO, Bob Harvey regarding confusion surrounding Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Texas Executive Order GA-18 and whether it calls for the return of office workers to the workplace. “We are suggesting to Houston companies that they delay the return of office workers to the…
Hurricane season officially kicked off along the Texas Gulf Coast area on June 1,2020 and runs through November 2020. And while this region has experienced many thunderstorms, major floods and hurricanes over the years that wreaked havoc, Hurricane Harvey, and its aftermath in 2017, was a wake-up call still fresh in our memory that created…
Taking advantage of 21st century technology, the Railroad Commission of Texas launched a statewide drone inspection team last month. Drones will help inspectors to quickly respond and inspect sites that are unsafe or inaccessible during emergencies such as fires, flooding and other natural disasters. Drones can also assist in situations, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic,…
Data from the Workforce Commission indicates that employment in Texas’ upstream oil and natural gas activities fell significantly in April. Compared to March 2020 levels, April upstream employment was down by 25,800 jobs. Compared to the same month in 2019, April 2020 jobs were down 47,200, or 20%. At a total of 192,600 jobs, this…
ConocoPhillips is taking steps to support and sustain its global workforce, communities and health care professionals during the coronavirus pandemic. With thousands of its people working from home and thousands more practicing social distancing in the field, the company is focused on its core job: to safely find and deliver energy to the world. “Throughout…
Small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic now have a resource for free legal advice, thanks to the Houston Small Business Legal Consultations (HSBLC) Program in collaboration with the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO), Vinson & Elkins (V&E) and several private law firms. Through a network of volunteer attorneys, HSBLC will provide participants free…
