Latest news with #PhilKing
E&E News
2 days ago
- Business
- E&E News
Texas lawmakers OK bill to manage surging electricity demand
A Texas bill aimed at helping plan for data centers and other new large electricity users and ensuring the reliability of the state's main power grid will go to the desk of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. S.B. 6, passed by Texas lawmakers last week, is among a number of proposals in state capitols nationwide made in response to a surge of data centers, manufacturing and cryptocurrency mines that are putting pressure on the grid. Nationally, electricity demand is projected to jump 25 percent by the end of the decade from 2023 levels according to a recent report from consultants ICF. In the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the power grid for most of the state, that growth rate could be twice that, according to regulators. Advertisement The Texas bill, proposed by state Sen. Phil King (R) and identified by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) as a legislative priority for the session that wraps up Monday, was pitched as a way to balance economic growth and grid reliability.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Bill that gives Texas increased oversight of largest energy users wins Legislature's approval
A bill that gives Texas oversight over energy transactions between power generators and the state's largest consumers of electricity heads to Gov. Greg Abbott after the Texas Legislature agreed on changes Thursday. Senate Bill 6 also proposes new ways to assess the amount of electricity that is available to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the main manager of the state's grid, giving them the authority to shut off power to industrial consumers in an emergency. 'What we've done here today may become the model for the rest of the country,' said state Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, the bill's author. The bill would give ERCOT the power to oversee energy transactions between power generators and large consumers that don't involve the state's grid. ERCOT would also have the authority to cut their power and use it during an emergency. King has said his bill will allow the state to better manage electric supply at times of high demand. Power generators and companies said the new oversight measures proposed by the bill would be excessive for a market accustomed to the free trade of energy without requirements imposed by the state. They have said the bill could discourage companies from doing business in Texas. King said the new rules are not meant to do so. 'I think what this bill is seeking to do is set out clear rules where large load customers that want to come to Texas know what they're getting when they get here,' said state Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, who sponsored the bill in the lower chamber. The bill would also require companies to disclose whether they have other projects in the state. Sen. Phil King said this would give ERCOT information to better predict and meet energy demands in the future more accurately. That's necessary to determine the state's electricity needs without overbuilding, which would result in higher rates for everyday consumers, he said. Texas will need almost double the electricity it consumes today to meet a demand driven mainly by data centers and the oil and gas industry, a demand that ERCOT President Pablo Vegas said the grid, in its current state, is capable of meeting when that demand arrives. Lawmakers added and removed some provisions from the bill during a debate in the House on Monday. One amendment got rid of a previously accepted proposal by state Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, which gave new large businesses in Texas the option to get electricity faster from the grid if they let ERCOT reduce their power consumption at will. Another amendment approved Monday, introduced by state Rep. Richard Peña Raymond, D-Laredo, would inject any excess electricity back into the grid and use any money from selling that energy to lower water bills for electricity ratepayers. Dan Diorio, senior director of state policy at the Data Center Coalition, a national group, said they were receptive to the changes sent to the upper chamber. The Data Center Coalition 'is appreciative that changes made to Senate Bill 6 during the legislative process intend to balance the need to support economic development with efforts to ensure the continued stability of the Texas electricity grid,' Diorio said. ___ This story was originally published by The Texas Tribune and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
The Guardian
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
What's the best bread for sandwiches?
What's the best loaf to bake for sandwiches, and any filling ideas?'Obviously I'm biased, but soft and squishy sourdough makes the best sandwiches,' says Martha de Lacey, sourdough teacher and writer. 'The flavour is so much more complex and exciting than anything else you could use, and the crumb can have a slight moistness to it, which really contributes to the mouthwatering lushness that you want in a sandwich.' That's not to say sourdough doesn't come without some provisos, mind. First, you want a loaf that's been baked that same day ('Several hours earlier, ideally,' De Lacey says), with a tender crumb and a nice, thin, crisp crust that 'isn't too teeth-pullingly chewy'. As is often the case, success comes down to the quality of your ingredients: 'Use really good flours, not just supermarket basics,' says De Lacey, who favours an 80:20 mix of strong white and granary, and 'a pretty high hydration for the requisite soft crumb'. Then, try and try again. 'Really practise your preferred sourdough tekkers until you can do it in your sleep. Honestly, the main trick to excellent sourdough is practice – boring but true!' Phil King, executive chef of Pophams in London, meanwhile, stands by his bakery's tin loaf made from a mix of white and 20% rye flour. 'It needs to be recognisable as a white sandwich tin loaf, while also giving that earthy, nutty flavour associated with rye bread, only without the denseness.' To achieve something similar, King suggests taking a white bread recipe, cutting the yeast by 80% and using a two-stage rising process: 'One before you shape it, then knock it back, put it in the tin and let it have another rise.' This will produce a fluffy texture and even crumb structure, so 'you're not left with large gaping holes that the filling falls through'. Alternatively, try something with a crust on both sides, says Richard Snapes, author of Bread & Butter: 'An Italian-style bread such as focaccia or ciabatta, say. People are often scared of them, because they require a wet dough, but they're not hard to make at home.' Sandwich construction, meanwhile, should be carried out as close to eating as possible, King says, starting with a fat barrier (butter, mayo, cream cheese) to stop moisture getting into the crumb, and balancing the fillings with the same attention you would give to a main meal. Snapes combines ricotta, olive oil, lemon zest and parmesan to spread on focaccia, then tops with charred asparagus ('if you eat meat, put some speck in there, too'). And, as summer rolls in, tomatoes are always on De Lacey's agenda, with a very good home for them being a BLT with plenty of mayo ('homemade or Hellmann's, and absolutely nothing in between'), a load of crisp smoked streaky bacon and crunchy iceberg lettuce. 'Anything you put in a salad will also be excellent in a sandwich,' King says, adding that you won't go far wrong with tomatoes, a good dressing, loads of fresh herbs, maybe a few capers and definitely seasoned 'to the max, because the bread will temper those flavours'. Otherwise, cool things down with cucumber: 'Big chunks with fresh coriander chutney and loads of cream cheese.' It's also worth considering sweet and savoury combos – think rhubarb jam, peanut butter and pancetta, which, King says, 'is every shade of wild'. But sarnie satisfaction ultimately comes down to one thing, De Lacey says: 'Be liberal with the moistness. There's nothing worse than forcing a dry sandwich down your gullet.' *Shudders* Got a culinary dilemma? Email feast@
CBS News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Bill requiring Ten Commandments to be displayed in Texas public school classrooms advances in Texas Legislature
The Ten Commandments will have to be shown in each public school classroom in Texas under a new bill that is making its way to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. Ten Commandments AP On Monday, the Texas House gave final passage to Senate Bill 10, changing from the version previously passed by the Senate. Under the House amendment, the state, not school districts, will be responsible for covering legal defense costs if a district is sued over the law. CBS News Texas reached out to the office of Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, the bill's author, to ask whether he will accept the change or if both chambers will need to negotiate further. Under the legislation, schools may accept donated posters or use district funds to comply. The law is set to take effect at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year. Rep. Candy Noble, R-Lucas, who carried the bill in the House, said, "Nothing is more deep-rooted in the fabric of our American tradition of education than the Ten Commandments. The way we treat others as a society comes from the principles found in the Ten Commandments." Opponents, including Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, argue the bill violates the separation of church and state. "I just think if I were giving a speech, I would say it just seems like we're trampling over the freedom of religion by passing your bill," Goodwin said. Also headed to Gov. Abbott's desk is Senate Bill 835, which passed unanimously in the House on Monday morning. The bill bans the use of non-disclosure agreements in civil settlements involving sexual assault victims. Among its supporters is Cindy Clemishire, who has accused former Gateway Church Senior Pastor Robert Morris of sexually abusing her decades ago. The Texas Senate also approved the bill unanimously earlier this month. Lawmakers also approved a bill on Sunday that would ban THC. The legislation now heads to the governor, and unless he vetoes it, the measure would effectively eliminate the $8 billion hemp industry in Texas. Watch "Eye on Politics" at 7:30 a.m. Sunday on CBS News Texas, on air and streaming. Follow Jack on X: @cbs11jackFollow Jack on X: @cbs11jack
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill that would increase oversight of Texas' largest energy users gets initial approval in Texas House
The Texas House gave initial approval Monday to a bill that would give Texas more oversight over energy transactions between power generators and the state's largest consumers of electricity. Senate Bill 6 also proposes new ways to assess the amount of electricity that is available to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the main manager of the state's grid. The bill now returns to the Senate. Legislators in the upper chamber must agree to the changes made to the bill before it goes to Abbott. The bill would give ERCOT the power to oversee energy transactions between power generators and large consumers that don't involve the state's grid. ERCOT would also have the authority to cut their power and use it during an emergency. State Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, the bill's author, has said his bill will allow the state to better manage electric supply at times of high demand. Power generators and companies said the new oversight measures proposed by the bill would be excessive for a market accustomed to the free trade of energy without requirements imposed by the state. They have said the bill could discourage companies from doing business in Texas. King said the new rules are not meant to do so. 'I think what this bill is seeking to do is set out clear rules where large load customers that want to come to Texas know what they're getting when they get here,' said state Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, who sponsored the bill in the lower chamber. The bill would also require companies to disclose whether they have other projects in the state. Sen. Phil King said this would give ERCOT information to better predict and meet energy demands in the future more accurately. That's necessary to determine the state's electricity needs without overbuilding, which would result in higher rates for everyday consumers, he said. Texas will need almost double the electricity it consumes today to meet a demand driven mainly by data centers and the oil and gas industry, a demand that ERCOT President Pablo Vegas said the grid, in its current state, is capable of meeting when that demand arrives. Lawmakers added and removed some provisions from the bill during a debate in the House on Monday. One amendment got rid of a previously accepted proposal by state Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, which gave new large businesses in Texas the option to get electricity faster from the grid if they let ERCOT reduce their power consumption at will. Another amendment approved Monday, introduced by state Rep. Richard Peña Raymond, D-Laredo, would inject any excess electricity back into the grid and use any money from selling that energy to lower water bills for electricity ratepayers. First round of TribFest speakers announced! Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd; U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio; Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California; and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas are taking the stage Nov. 13–15 in Austin. Get your tickets today!
