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April 2022 | Advertising for Certified Women, Veteran & Minority-Owned Subcontractors | 73rd Edition

Houston’s position

as the top city for global trade, tourism, business, and leisure travel from Mexico 16-17

INSIDE

28

26

Jenny Barket Joins DART as Chief of Staff

20

Contractors: 4 Ways to up Your Game in Using Electronic Permitting Portals

Port Houston Cargo Continues Record Pace Container Volume up 37 Percent Compared To Same Month Last Year

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PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

Keith "MR. D-MARS" Davis, Sr. CERTIFIED:

HMSDC

d-mars.com is proud to continue our partnership with the community, publishing positive content and success stories promoting the advancement of our African American businesses and civic and community leaders.

This month’s cover story highlights Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI), a necessary resource locally and nationally helping to fight breast cancer in the African American community for nearly three decades. Founder and CEO Karen Eubanks Jackson is a 28-year four-time breast cancer survivor and author who is recognized nationally as a true visionary and national leader in the Black breast cancer movement. In 1994, Jackson founded SNI during her personal fight to survive breast cancer and recognized a lack of “sisterhood” in traditional organizations, a staggering breast cancer mortality rate for Af-

Port of Houston

Metro

BEHIND THE JOURNAL PUBLISHER & CEO Keith J. Davis, Sr. CHIEF OF STAFF & MANAGING EDITOR Kimberly Floyd ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla ASSISTANT SALES REPRESENTATIVE Tiffany Brown OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Bria Casteel ART DIRECTOR Angel Rosa DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Erick Fontejon PHOTOGRAPHY Grady Carter L.C. Poullard DISTRIBUTION Mike Jones CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

By Richard Nira

By Destiny Vaquera

By Helen Callier Subcontractors USA

"In Unity there is Strength, In Strength there is Power, In Power there is Change."

— Sisters Network® Inc national creed

City of Houston

rican American women, and limited culturally sensitive material.

Often referred to as a “breast cancer champion,” Jackson’s primary motivation was to break through the silence and shame of breast cancer that immobilizes African American women, restricts their ability to receive support services, interferes with early detection, and ultimately affects their survival rates. SNI is the nation’s largest and only national Black breast cancer survivorship organization.

As always, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com, progressing our publication’s efforts to highlight the communities in which we serve, live, and work. Partnering together, we succeed in making positive things happen.

HISD

06 CONSTRUCTION 06 Equal Pay: How Women Can Benefit From a Career in Construction 08 Construction Employment Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Peak in Majority of Metro Areas; Association Calls for Steps To Enlarge Worker Supply 10 Construction Adds 19,000 Jobs in March, While Project Spending Rises for 12th Straight Month in February; Officials Warn of Growing Challenges 12 ENERGY 12 New Analysis: Potential Lapse in 5-Year Leasing Program Threatens American Energy Security 14 CenterPoint Energy Electric Transmission and Distribution Business Files Distribution Cost Recovery Factor Application 18 OIL AND GAS 18 API Responds to President’s Remarks on Gas Prices, SPR and Domestic Production

20 PERMITS 20 Contractors: 4 Ways to up Your Game in Using Electronic Permitting Portals 22 Texas Drilling Permit and Completion Statistics for February 2022 22 SAFETY 22 US Department of Labor Urges Workers, Employers, Public To Recognize Hazards, Ensure Safety After Recent Storms in Texas, Louisiana 24 Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh Addresses President’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Request 24 US Department of Labor Announces Proposed Rule To Amend Federal Occupational Injury, Illness Recordkeeping Regulation 16 TRANSPORTATION 16 Houston Airports Joins Mayor Turner on Marketing Campaign in Mexico 16 Port Houston Nears 1M TEU Mark in 1st Quarter of the Year 17 Spirit Airlines Strengthens Houston Ties With New Aircraft Maintenance Facility 26 Jenny Barket Joins DART as Chief of Staff 28 Port Houston Cargo Continues Record Pace Container Volume up 37 Percent Compared To Same Month Last Year 29 Port Houston Commits to Carbon Neutrality by 2050

VBE

DBE

OUR SERVICES

CONTENTS 04 ARCHITECTURE 04 Projects That Address Environmental Issues Earn Awards for Landscape Architecture Students 06 Architecture Students Win AIA Fort Worth Merit Award for "Homecoming"

HUB

ADVERTISING | MARKETING MEDIA | COMMUNICATION GRAPHIC DESIGN • Logos • Flyers • Ads • Folders • Brochures • Door Hangers PRINTING • Business Cards • Flyers • Folders • Pull-up Banners • Step and Repeat Banners • Brochures • Door Hangers • Letterhead • Envelopes PHOTOGRAPHY • Headshots • Event Photography Online & Email Marketing Social Media Advertising

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ARCHITECTURE

Projects That Address

Environmental Issues Earn Awards for Landscape Architecture Students

By Richard Nira Texas A&M University College of Architecture

L

andscape architecture students whose projects tackle pressing environmental issues in Texas earned awards for their work from the Texas Society of Landscape Architects. They will receive their honors at the 2022 TxASLA conference in San Antonio.

Two student projects earned awards of excellence: “Healing Houston,” by undergraduates Kaylin Slaughter, Macy McGlamery, Camryn Galvan, and Kyra Chandler, and “Evaluation of Galveston Dike Performance in Multiple Storm Scenarios,” by Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Sciences student Zhenhang Cai. Three projects earned merit awards: “Space Ark City: Design for Rapid Sea Level Rise Adaptation,” by undergraduates Walter Segovia and Ashley Hodde; “Geodesign Games for Adaptive Futures,” by undergraduates Walter Segovia, Abimbola Olodore, Alexandra Welsh, Reiss Pleasant, Roger Hill, Katelyn Robeson, and Madeleine Shay, and “Pipe Dream: An Adaptive Green Infrastructure Model,” by Master of Landscape Architecture student Tianyi Wang.

Students representing three of the Department of Landscape Architecture and urban planning’s degree programs were honored by the contest jury.

The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program is consistently ranked among the top landscape architecture programs in the country. The program ranked 11th in

the nation in DesignIntelligence’s 2019–2020 “Most Admired Landscape Architecture Schools,” and has been consistently ranked within the top 10 landscape architecture programs in the last decade.

The Master of Landscape Architecture program has been training entry-level professional landscape architects since 1958. As part of a re-

search institution, masters’ students experience how research impacts design. Because research methods are woven into the graduate curriculum, students learn important concepts about research that is relevant to professional practice.

The Ph.D. in Urban & Regional Sciences program is one of the largest in the country, with the most diverse range of research topics available.

Because of our size, students work with their peers on similar projects.

Ph.D students are mentored by a faculty member from the start of the program. They’re paired based on similar research interests, and work closely with their mentor throughout the program.

Introducing: Opportunity Business Equity at Port Houston Our NEW Business Equity Division provides resources to small, minority- and woman-owned businesses seeking to participate in Port Houston procurements.

Source: Texas A&M University College of Architecture

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The Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program at the University of Houston (UH) is committed to promoting the inclusion of HUB vendors in university procurements. The HUB Program ensures compliance with state HUB laws, assists UH departments in locating HUB vendors; as well as offering HUBs assistance to facilitate access and contracting opportunities.

For more information about how to do business with the University of Houston, bid opportunities, or to learn about events, workshops and seminars, visit: www.uh.edu/hub

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ARCHITECTURE

Architecture Students Win AIA Fort Worth Merit Award for "Homecoming"

By Destiny Vaquera UH Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design Contributor

T

he American Institute of Architects (AIA) Fort Worth Chapter Excellence in Architecture Student Design Awards recently awarded Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design students Michelle Ovanessians and Kieran Renfrow the 2022 Merit Award for their project Homecoming, a tribute to the life and work of the late congressman John Lewis.

The project was born from professor Emily Moore's 4510 studio assignment to design a social justice center revitalizing a community. Homecoming orients itself towards serving surrounding communities of the Sweet Auburn Historic District in Atlanta, Georgia – a significant historical region containing markers and monuments from the Civil Rights Movement.

Ovanessians and Renfrow sought to create a space honoring John Lewis and perpetuating the notion of "grounding." The idea of centering oneself within their origins and cultivating community inspired Homecoming.

The 1950s comic graphic style used throughout the design encapsulates an "old way of representing a new idea."

"When we first started researching, we found that the urban context lacked greenery and parks in the area,"

said Kieran Renfrow. "The space allows people to regain a sense of self through plants utilized in the design, while also creating an opportunity for collaboration with the community to produce something bigger than oneself."

Homecoming's multipurpose space integrates a timeshare program allowing for utilization of the greenhouse during the day and the social garden at night, permitting communal integration. The project's exterior and interior utilize spaces, materials, and plants as a means of "grounding," providing a space stimulating mental health, physical health, and communal activities.

"The design itself reflects the prominent figure in his-

tory, John Lewis, while also bringing light to issues still salient in today's society," shared Michelle Ovanessians.

"Homecoming emphasizes the idea of Black people in the community and creates a space fostering joy and a sense of normalcy," said Renfrow. "Architecture has the ability to create social movements and betterment for society."

To learn more about the project, visit www.aiafw.org/2021studentawards.

Source: UH Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design

CONSTRUCTION

Equal Pay: How Women Can Benefit From a Career in Construction

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

T

he disruptions of the pandemic led to not only job losses but also the Great Resignation, with many Americans reevaluating their careers and searching for better opportunities.

While some areas are recovering, studies from the Pew Research Center, the National Bureau of Economic Research, and others suggest that more women have lost their jobs overall, largely due to the higher percentages of women employed in the leisure and hospitality sector, retail, education and health services - which all took a big hit during the pandemic. If you're one of the many American women seeking a career pivot, you should consider the construction industry.

"Women join the construction industry because they see a good career that will keep them challenged and support their families," said Doreen Bartoldus, president of the National Association of Women in Construction ( N AW I C ).

"We need more women in the field, and our organization develops materials designed to get kids excited about construction. We have female-specific programs for high school girls, and we see that changing attitudes."

Here Hereare arethe thetop topthree threereasons reasons women should consider women should consideraacareer in construction: incareer construction: 1. Pay parity is better in the construction industry Construction has one of the lowest gender pay gaps in the nation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. women earn an average of 81.1% of men's earnings, but in construction fare much better - making over $0.94 for every $1 that men make.

And the best news? Demand in this field shows no sign of stopping. "Women should join this industry because it's everlasting. There will always be new homes to build and remodel," said Maggie Hardy Knox, president of 84 Lumber. "We've truly seen this over the last year. The career opportunities are endless."

2. Careers for people from all backgrounds Opportunities in construction offer variety in levels of training, experience, and education. Whether you're just out of high school, have a trade certification, vocational/technical or associate degree, or four-year college degree, there are available positions that not only pay well but are challenging and fulfilling. Many positions can be learned on the job, and a number

of companies offer trainee programs for those seeking experience.

"The basic requirement to make it in the field is to genuinely care for customers and associates. And like anything else in life, a great work ethic can make you super successful," observed Hardy Knox. "If you demonstrate those traits, our company will train you on everything else."

3. Variety of roles Another reason to consider the construction industry is the sheer variety of positions, involving a vast array of skill sets.

"The industry is broad enough where you can pick many career paths. For example, we have entry-level management trainee positions that touch all parts of our business," Hardy Knox added.

"Our team headquarters offers opportunities from purchasing to accounting and more. We also have tremendous opportunities within our installed sales division, and our on-site project managers work to help relieve residential building contractors and commercial builders from everyday problems associated with coordination of materials and labor."

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Here are examples of positions in construction-related areas to consider: • Front line construction work • Trades such as electrician, plumber, welder, brick mason, glazier, crane operator, carpenter, pipefitter • Cost estimator, bookkeeper • Safety manager • Office worker/administrative • Sales/marketing • Construction surveyor, construction inspector • General contractor • Project manager • Civil engineer, architect • Executive, business owner

Today's labor shortage also means companies are striving to boost recruitment from a more diverse labor pool, resulting in the industry being much more welcoming to hiring women than ever before.

"One of the best ways for construction companies to recruit women is to make women in construction more visible," said Kristi Allen, owner of WoodCastle Homes and contractor behind The House that SHE Built, a home built by Utah Professional Women in Building with the help of female volunteers from across the country.

"The more we see women succeeding, the more likely it is other women will view the construction industry as a viable option for their careers."

To explore opportunities in construction, visit NAWIC.org or 84Lumber.com.

Source: BPT

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CONSTRUCTION

Construction Employment

SURPASSES Pre-Pandemic Peak in Majority of Metro Areas; Association Calls for Steps To Enlarge Worker Supply

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

C

onstruction employment increased from February 2020— the month before the coronavirus pandemic—to February 2022 in nearly three-fifths of U.S. metro areas, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials said it is getting harder to find workers and urged officials to invest more in career training and education programs for construction.

“The rebound in construction employment in most metros shows there is robust demand for infrastructure and nonresidential buildings, as well as housing,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But contractors in many areas say they would hire even more workers if there were enough qualified candidates.”

There were 364,000 job openings in construction at the end of February—the most for any February since the government first compiled the data in 2001, Simonson noted. Openings exceeded the 342,000 workers hired by construction firms that month, which implies contractors wanted to hire twice as many employees as they were able to, he said.

Construction employment rose in 209 or 58 percent of 358 metro areas over the 24-month period. Salt Lake City, Utah added the most construction jobs (5,100 jobs, 11 percent), followed by Jacksonville, Florida (4,800 jobs, 10 percent); Nashville-Davidson-

Murfreesboro-Franklin, Tenn. (4,000 jobs, 8 percent); and Boise City, Idaho (3,800 jobs, 14 percent). Walla Walla, Wash. had the highest percentage gain (36 percent, 400 jobs), followed by Decatur, Ill. (32 percent, 900 jobs); LawrenceMethuen Town-Salem, Mass.-N.H. (24 percent, 800 jobs); and Lake Havasu CityKingman, Ariz. (23 percent, 800 jobs).

Construction employment declined in 109 metro areas from the February 2020 level and was stagnant in 40 areas. New York City lost the most jobs (-25,500 or -16 percent), followed by HoustonThe Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (-23,400 jobs, -10 percent) and Baton Rouge, La. (-6,800 jobs, -14 percent).

The largest percentage declines were in Odessa, Texas (-27 percent, -5,500 jobs); Greeley, Colo. (-24 percent, -4,700 jobs); and Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas (-22 percent, -4,700 jobs).

Association officials said they are taking steps to recruit more people into the industry, including its “Construction is Essential” targeted digital advertising campaign and the “Culture of Care” program that is designed to help firms retain new workers. They urged public officials, however, to support those efforts by boosting investments in career and technical education programs focusing on construction.

“Career and technical education teaches essential skills and exposes a broader range of people to the many career opportunities available in construction,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer.

“Helping encourage more people to pursue high-paying construction careers will keep America building and contribute to broader economic growth.”

Source: agc.org

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CONSTRUCTION

Construction Adds 19,000 Jobs in March,

While Project Spending Rises for 12th Straight Month in February; Officials Warn of Growing Challenges

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

C

onstruction employment climbed by 19,000 jobs between February and March, while spending on construction projects rose for the 12th month in a row in February, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association leaders warned that further gains may stall unless the supply of workers and materials improves. They urged officials to end tariffs on key materials and broaden training and education opportunities for construction careers.

“Construction is contributing significantly to the expansion of employment and the overall economy,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But the sector is facing growing challenges in terms of filling job openings, obtaining materials, and keeping up with soaring wages and prices.”

topping the pre-pandemic peak set in February 2020 for the first time. Residential building and specialty trade contractors added 7,600 employees in March, and the sector’s employment exceeded the February 2020 level by 161,000 or 5.4 percent. Employment increased by 11,300 for the month among nonresidential firms-building, specialty trade, and heavy and civil engineering construction contractors--but remained 157,000 or 3.4 percent shy of the February 2020 mark.

Despite the recent employment increases, construction job openings at the end of February totaled 364,000, the largest February total, by far, in the 22-year history of that series, Simonson pointed out. Openings exceeded the 342,000 workers hired in February, implying that contractors wanted to hire more than twice as many workers as they were able to, he added.

Construction spending increased for the 12th consecutive month in February to $1.70 trillion, a rise of 0.5

percent for the month and 11.2 percent year-over-year.

All three major subsectors posted year-over-year increases. Private residential construction rose 1.1 percent in February and 16.6 percent over 12 months. Private nonresidential spending edged up 0.2 percent for the month and 9.7 percent since February 2021. Public construction rose 1.5 percent from a year earlier despite slipping 0.4 percent from January to February.

Association officials said the industry will need to obtain materials on a more timely basis and hire hundreds of thousands of additional workers in order to execute projects that will soon be funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure law, on top of the continuing demand for homebuilding and private nonresidential structures.

Officials urged Congress and the Biden administration to end lumber, steel, and other tariffs, increase funds for career and technical education, and support a wider range of apprenticeship and training opportunities.

“Contractors are doing their part to add employees and complete projects,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “But there won’t be enough materials or workers to go around if officials in Washington fail to allow more goods into the U.S. and prepare more job seekers for these opportunities.”

Industry employment totaled 7,628,000 in March,

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Source: agc.org

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ENERGY

New Analysis: Potential Lapse in 5-Year Leasing Program

Threatens American Energy Security

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

T

he American Petroleum Institute (API) and the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) recently released a new analysis outlining the potential economic consequences of delaying the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) 5-year program for leasing in the Gulf of Mexico. The next 5-year offshore leasing program must be in place by July 1, 2022, but is well behind schedule, and no offshore lease sales can be held unless DOI implements a new program. The report, which was prepared by Energy and Industrial Advisory Partners (EIAP), warns how a delay in the program could jeopardize American energy security and cost thousands of U.S. jobs and billions in government revenue.

“Now more than ever, U.S. oil and natural gas development are critical for the nation’s long-term energy security and our national security, and offshore production plays a key role,” API Senior Vice President of Policy, Economics and Regulatory Affairs Frank Macchiarola said. “Policymakers should be doing everything they can to encourage the development of our nation’s vast energy resources and acting on the 5-year program is a commonsense step the administration could take right now to support global energy security now and in the future.”

“At a time of geopolitical uncertainty and rapidly rising energy prices, Gulf of Mexico oil and gas production is more important than ever,” NOIA President Erik Milito said. “Promoting opportunities for increased U.S. oil and gas production will help fortify our national security, alleviate inflationary energy prices, reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy, and secure our energy from highly-regulated and lower emissions production sources here at home. The longer we go without being able to explore and develop new leases offshore, the longer we weaken a key, proven national strategic energy asset in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.”

“Offshore energy is the primary economic generator for the Lafourche Parish community, supporting not just jobs, but also substantially funding the government services provided by the Parish, like after school programs, economic development assistance, public works, and emergency preparedness. Offshore activity serves as an economic base for our levee and water districts as well.

In our daily lives, where we live, work, raise families, go to school, recreate – offshore energy production is vital to all of it, and that is the case in any community across the country that supports energy activity,” Greater Lafourche Port Commission Executive Director Chett Chiasson said.

“Danos has supported the energy industry in South Louisiana for over 75 years where we employ nearly 2,500 people. Ending or reducing lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico will increase carbon emissions, send jobs overseas, increase the cost of energy for Americans, and

take away the largest source of funding to restore and protect our Louisiana coast,” Danos Owner and CEO Paul Danos said.

Since 1980, DOI has been required to prepare a 5-year offshore leasing program to best meet national energy needs for the 5-year period, including a schedule of oil and gas lease sales and details on the size, timing, and location of proposed leasing activity. Despite their legal obligation to maintain an offshore leasing program, DOI is well-behind schedule in this multi-year regulatory process and has yet to initiate the third comment period required for completion.

A lapse in a 5-Year Program could jeopardize American energy security, cost thousands of jobs, and billions in lost state and local revenues.

• With a 5-year offshore leasing program, the Gulf of Mexico is projected to produce an average of 2.6 million barrels per day of oil and natural gas from 2022 – 2040.

A delay in the program could mean nearly 500,000 barrels per day less over that time period.

• In 2036, the lost Gulf of Mexico production could mean 885,000 fewer barrels of oil and natural gas per day – a 33% decrease from where we’d be with a 5-year offshore leasing program in place.

• 370,000 American jobs are supported by Gulf of Mexico offshore production. Nearly 60,000 of those could be lost without a 5-year offshore leasing

program. Direct jobs supporting the offshore oil and gas industry pay on average $69,650. That’s 29% higher than the national average salary.

• On average, $1.5 billion per year in government revenue could be lost with reduced offshore production. That’s revenue that could be used for public education, infrastructure, conservation projects, coastal restoration, and hurricane protection programs.

For a copy of the report and fact sheet, please visit www.api.org.

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our nearly 600 members produce, process, and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

“Offshore energy is the primary economic generator for the Lafourche Parish community, supporting not just jobs, but also substantially funding the government services provided by the Parish, like after school programs, economic development assistance, public works, and emergency preparedness.

Offshore activity serves as an economic base for our levee and water districts as well. In our daily lives, where we live, work, raise families, go to school, recreate – offshore energy production is vital to all of it, and that is the case in any community across the country that supports energy activity,” —Greater Lafourche Port Commission Executive Director Chett Chiasson said.

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Source: api.org

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ENERGY

CenterPoint Energy

Electric Transmission and Distribution Business Files Distribution Cost Recovery Factor Application

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

C

enterPoint Energy announced recently that its Texas electric transmission and distribution business, CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, filed an application for a Distribution Cost Recovery Factor (DCRF) adjustment with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the cities in its service area.

DCRF is an interim rate adjustment that, if approved, permits an electric utility to adjust its rates to account for changes in distribution-invested capital between base rate proceedings. "The interim rate adjustment provides our customers with smaller adjustments in their rates over time versus a large one-time rate adjustment," said Lynnae Wilson, Senior Vice President, Houston Electric.

"The greater Houston regional economy remained strong and experienced continued growth despite the challenging backdrop of a billion in distribution capital invested since 2018, the time period reviewed in the prior base rate proceeding. global pandemic. CenterPoint Energy This filing, therefore, covers a three-year investment pecontinues to invest capital in our riod from January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2021. electric distribution system for system improvement, resiliency, customer load The major factors driving these investments growth, and intelligent grid projects include: to provide safe and reliable service to • System Improvement Projects – These projects involve the proactive rehabilitation of overhead our customers throughout the greater and underground distribution system wires, poles, Houston area," added Wilson. "An lightning protection, wildlife protection, and insulators interim rate adjustment, like DCRF, allows to improve system reliability throughout the company's CenterPoint Energy to recover costs for service area.

• Load Growth Projects – These projects are the investments necessary to maintain required to serve an increasing number of customers reliable service in between general base and increasing demand for the delivery of power and include the addition of transformers and rate proceedings."

This is the company's first DCRF filing since undergoing a rigorous and comprehensive base rate proceeding in 2019-2020. The filing seeks to recover more than $1.6

other equipment to meet that demand. These projects improve the electrical system's reliability and resiliency

for all customers by providing additional capabilities that enhance the ability to serve both an increasing number of customers and simultaneously minimize customer outage duration when they occur.

• Intelligent Grid Projects – These projects use advances in technology and are designed to improve the company's ability to operate its electrical distribution system, including power line monitoring equipment, remote switches, and other automated equipment that locates power line outages or issues in near real-time (as they occur). This improves customer outage recovery times since repair crews do not have to be dispatched to search for the source and cause of an outage, allowing repairs to be started and completed much sooner. In fact, since 2011, the use of Intelligent Grid automation has been used to reroute and restore power to customers in over 3,729 outage events, saving customers more than 468 million minutes of outage time.

Also, in response to Winter Storm Uri, new legislation passed during the 2021 Texas Legislative Session allows electric utilities, like CenterPoint Energy, to lease and operate temporary emergency mobile generation facilities to help lessen outage duration to customers during certain load shed events, to aid in the restoration of electric service following weather events or other events that cause widespread power outages, as defined by the Legislature. The company's filed DCRF rate adjustment includes some of the costs for the deployment of these facilities.

The estimated residential customer impact based on a monthly usage of 1,000-kilowatt hours is a $2.76 increase billed to the consumer's retail electric provider.

New rates are expected to go into effect by September 1.

"In addition to the investments to improve the reliability and resiliency of the distribution system, CenterPoint Energy strives to control the cost of service for our customers by improving efficiencies in our operations and maintenance practices. That focus, coupled with strong and consistent customer growth, minimizes the rate impacts of these investments," added Wilson.

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Source: centerpointenergy.com

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TRANSPORTATION

Houston Airports Joins Ma

Marketing Campaign

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

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rom March 28 to April 1, Houston Airports joined Mayor Sylvester Turner and a City delegation on a “Houston Week” marketing campaign in Mexico to reinforce Houston’s position as the top city for global trade, tourism, business, and leisure travel from Mexico.

Mario Diaz, Houston Airports Director, Luis Avilés, Sr. Executive, Air Service Development, and Augusto Bernal, Public Information Officer, joined Mayor Turner, Houston First, and the Greater Houston Partnership for Houston’s first international trade mission since the COVID-19 pandemic to Mexico, with well-received stops in Monterrey and Mexico City.

“We chose Mexico as the destination for our first international trade mission since the pandemic because we recognize the critical importance of the business and tourism ties between the two regions,” Mayor Turner said. “Houston Week allowed us to strengthen our diplomatic ties by engaging in business development and corporate and travel trade meetings that included an experiential evening event that showcased the very best that our city has to offer.

I want to thank Houston First, the Greater Houston Partnership, and the entire delegation for representing Houston in an exceptional manner.”

The mayor headed the delegation’s leadership team which included Diaz, City of Houston Chief Development Officer Andy Icken, Houston First President and CEO Michael Heckman, Greater Houston Partnership Senior Vice President and Chief Economic Development Officer Susan Davenport, and Houston City Council Member David Robinson.

Mexico is Houston’s largest trade partner

and plays an important role in the city’s economy. Many Mexico-based companies have opened facilities in Texas because of a strong economic concentration in such areas as manufacturing and food products, according to the Texas Economic Development Corporation.

Diaz said that the economic development mission nurtured the strong strategic partnership with Mexico that remains vital for Houston Airports and for the City of Houston.

“Houston Airports’ already-robust relationship with Mexico grew even stronger during the pandemic,” said Diaz. “Today we have more flights to Mexico than in 2019 and Bush Airport continues to offer more flights to Mexico than any other airport in the U.S. Houston is one of the leading markets in the U.S. by the number of Mexican destinations served and the number of Mexican visitors received per year.

“Mexico is Houston’s largest market for international visitation and accounts for 70 percent of international

travelers coming to the city,” Heckman said. “The intention of developing a unified tourism and trade delegation for the inaugural Houston Week was to achieve high impact for Houston and build upon relationships in Mexico through extensive media coverage, generation of social media buzz, and by connecting with key diplomats, business leaders, and travel trade professionals.”

Among many highlights, the delegation also participated in a global trade roundtable discussion with Mexico's Minister of Economy Tatiana Clouthier.

They also toured the Tecnologico de Monterrey campus, a highly renowned academic institution known for its innovation-led academic model that excels in the fields of engineering, technology, social sciences, and management.

As the Houston Spaceport continues to attract aerospace companies and talent to its grounds, Diaz expressed an interest in exploring educational and professional development opportunities between Tecnologico de Monterrey and higher education institutions in the Houston area that are involved with the Houston Spaceport, such as San Jacinto College, Rice University and the University of Houston Clear Lake.

“The proximity between Monterrey and Houston is ideal for us to foster talent and resources that can support the rapid expansion of the Houston Spaceport. We are already planning to go back to Monterrey with leaders from Houstonbased colleges and universities to explore ways for us to tap into the vast possibilities of exchanging knowledge, training, and talent with a distinguished university like Tec de Monterrey.” Diaz said.

Mayor Turner, Director Diaz, and the Houston Week leadership met with Monterrey Mayor Luis Donaldo Colosio Riojas. The Houston leadership delegation also joined the governor of Nuevo León in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Houston First and the State of Nuevo Leon to strengthen existing ties between the State of Nuevo León and the City of Houston.

Source: Houston Airport System

TRANSPORTATION

Port Houston Nears 1M TEU Mark in 1st Quarter of the Year

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

C

ontainer volume at Port Houston in March totaled 308,557 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).

That brings the total for just the first three months of 2022 to 903,383 TEUs, an increase of 20% year-to-date over last year’s record year.

“Port Houston is constantly evaluating growth within the industry and developing

innovative solutions to accommodate that growth,” Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther said. “We know that velocity of goods is of the utmost importance to our customers and we continue to evaluate our procedures and infrastructure to improve efficiency.”

In March, Port Houston waived dockage for ships waiting at anchor that could berth while waiting for gang assignments in order to accelerate the working of vessels and move cargo through the port faster.

Port Houston also recently added an additional hour to the daily gate schedule and announced regular Saturday gate hours starting in June. Port Houston has accelerated projects at its container terminals, for example doubling gate capacity at Barbours Cut Container Terminal in March.

Cargo at Port Houston’s multi-purpose

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facility at City Docks is also growing.

General Cargo was up 18% in March and 23% year to date. Steel imports are up 131% and Bagged Goods imports are up 164% year to date through March.

Auto units are down 34% for the year.

For more information, please visit porthouston.com.

Source: Port Houston

April 2022 | 17

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ayor Turner on

n in Mexico

TRANSPORTATION

Spirit Airlines Strengthens Houston Ties With New Aircraft Maintenance Facility

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

O

n April 20, Spirit Airlines announced a commitment to deepen its roots in Houston with the addition of an aircraft maintenance facility at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, IAH. The facility, located along JFK Boulevard, will serve as a large aircraft maintenance hangar with offices and warehousing for the Spirit Technical Operations team when it begins its first phase of operations.

The maintenance complex includes two aircraft bays a nd ramp space for up to four aircraft, as well as a warehouse, shops, and office space, and adds an important geographical location to complement Spirit’s maintenance hub in Detroit. Spirit plans to staff the facility with more than 50 Houston-based team members to maintain and service Spirit’s growing fleet, which is planned to gain 24 new planes this year. As Spirit’s network expands, this additional maintenance capacity will be located a short flight away from several of Spirit’s busiest stations.

Maintaining our Spirit Fit Fleet® in top condition is a priority for us every day, and we’ve picked the perfect additional location for our stellar Technical Operations team as they support our ongoing growth,” said John Bendoraitis, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Spirit Airlines. “We’re proud to bring the values and commitment to excellence that earned our team the FAA’s Aviation Maintenance Technician Diamond Award of Excellence to Houston. Thank you to the IAH team for the great 10-year partnership, and we look forward to adding jobs and new maintenance capacity as we grow our presence in the community.”

"Houston's strong economic outlook makes our city an attractive ally for corporate growth and expansion in a global marketplace,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “The new maintenance facility at Bush Airport will add quality jobs in our community. We value Spirit Airlines' commitment to Houston, as they continue to expand services in our city and invest in our workforce."

“Spirit Airlines will enhance their overall daily operations at Bush Airport by adding this new facility,” said Director of Houston Airports Mario Diaz. “This will not only benefit passengers all over their network but will elevate the airport guest experience for those who fly out of Houston to the airline’s multiple domestic and international destinations.”

Source: Houston Airport System

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OIL AND GAS

API Responds to President’s Remarks on Gas Prices, SPR and Domestic Production

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

F

ollowing remarks from President Biden recently on energy prices and an announcement to release 180 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), the American Petroleum Institute urged the administration to embrace a government-wide approach to energy security and signal that America is open for energy investment.

“There are many factors behind rising energy costs, from geopolitical volatility and supply chain constraints to policy uncertainty, and the American people deserve real solutions,” API President and CEO Mike Sommers said. “The SPR was put in place to reduce the impact of significant supply chain disruptions, and while today’s release may provide some short-term relief, it is far from a long-term solution to the economic pain Americans are feeling at the pump.”

Last month API sent a letter to the administration outlining several steps to ensure long-term American energy security, including fully restoring federal leasing and holding lease sales; implementing a new 5-year program for offshore leasing before the current program expires at the end of June; swiftly approving all LNG applications and ensuring a timely and efficient permitting system.

“The best thing the White House can do right now is to remove barriers to investment in American energy production and infrastructure,” Sommers said. “Unfortunately, today we heard more mixed signals about developing affordable, reliable, and secure American natural gas and oil.”

API also responded to the administration’s continued misleading claims on “unused leases” and a proposal to “make companies pay fees on wells from their leases that they haven’t used.” In fact,

companies already begin paying rent on leases to the federal government as soon as leases are granted.

“The administration once again has a fundamental misunderstanding of how leases work,” Sommers said. “The percentage of producing leases is at a two-decade high, with nearly two out of three leases producing natural gas and oil. With nearly 5,000 permits awaiting approval from the administration and thousands more tied up in litigation, we stand ready to work with the administration to expand domestic production and ensure the U.S. and our allies have access to the affordable, reliable energy that’s needed not only today but for years to come.”

New API analysis shows that in the first 14 months of the Obama administration, the Department of the Interior held 47 federal lease sales, while the Biden administration has held only a single lease sale since January 2021, which was later invalidated. Leases are issued prior to exploration, and not every permit on leased land has resources, despite substantial investments by developers.

Recent reports show the US Bureau of Land Management approved 95 permits to drill in January 2022, compared with 643 in April 2021.

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans.

Its nearly 600 members produce, process, and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

Source: api.org

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PERMITS

Contractors: 4 Ways to up Your Game in Using Electronic Permitting Portals

By Helen Callier Contributing Writer

I

n 2020, thousands of Contractors across the U.S. were thrown into a tizzy when they were turned away from walking into a permitting center to manually submit plans to being instructed to apply for a permit online. Frustrations ran high for Contractors, especially when it took more time to review plans for simple projects that were typically permitted in a few hours or in one day using hard copies of plans.

While some large jurisdictions continue to have hiccups including outages with their online portals, the fact is that jurisdictions with electronic portals will not be going back to manual submissions; and more jurisdictions are coming aboard to improve internal processes that provide many benefits such as allowing staff to work remotely when there is a need (i.e. inclement weather, pandemic, etc.) to do so.

As an example, when talking with a Planning Supervisor recently on permitting a project in Michigan, the Supervisor mentioned that their workload had significantly increased in 2021, and to help manage workload they had approved a budget to install a technology solution to replace their manual submissions. This was truly great news to hear because this would provide huge cost savings in the future for clients submitting plans electronically versus printing and having couriered 4 hard copies of plan sets.

2022 offers Contractors the opportunity to grow their business in many markets, especially when they are able to

obtain building permits in a timely manner. As more and more jurisdictions are adopting a technology platform for submitting plans, below are 4 ways that Contractors can up their game in using electronic portals.

QA/QC Permit Package: Check your permit package thoroughly before submitting it through the online portal.

If there are deficiencies with the package, missing prerequisite documents, incorrect building codes, and so on, after you hit the submit button, you will be unable to pull back those plans on most platforms which will subsequently result in rejection comments for missing items. So, take the time to review the checklist, permit application, plans, etc., prior to submitting online.

Upload Files Properly: After making sure your permit package is complete and ready to submit, follow the instructions to ensure submitting plans are in the correct folders.

To improperly upload files will generate rejection comments as the Plan Reviewers would be expecting, for example, the mechanical sheets to be in the mechanical folder, and so on.

Meet With Plan Reviewer: This step alone can save you time and money and encourage Contractors to reach out to jurisdiction Plan Reviewers to ask for clarification with a building code and if your approach will satisfy the code.

Ask the Experts: Today’s platforms for submitting online for a permit are confusing and time-consuming for many Contractors. Consider focusing on what you like to do best – building – and contacting building permitting and code experts to handle your permits.

Online permitting portals are here to stay with more jurisdictions converting from paper to electronic submissions.

While some jurisdictions are still working out the bugs, have created delays in plan reviews for one-stop projects, experienced downtime, generated a slew of new types of rejection comments, and have stressed out Contractors, know that you can rise to the occasion when using permitting experts like PermitUsNow. At PermitUsNow, we are committed to pulling permits for our Architect, Contractor, and Project Owner clients without delay, eliminating their frustrations with the permitting process. Plus, we make it easy for you to work with us. Simply: 1) Email us your plans, 2) Follow up on our feedback for any missing items, and 3) Let us get your permitting done for you.

So, send us your plans today and we’ll free you up to focus on doing what you love - building your customers’ dreams. Call the PermitUsNow team at 1.844.PERMIT.4. Visit us on the web at permitusnow.com. #BuildCustomersDreams

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#BuildSafe

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PERMITS

Texas Drilling Permit

and Completion Statistics for February 2022

By Subcontractors USA

TABLE 1 – FEBRUARY 2022 TEXAS OIL AND GAS NEW DRILLING PERMITS AND COMPLETIONS BY RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS DISTRICT*

News Provider

T

he Railroad Commission of Texas issued a total of 836 original drilling permits in February 2022 compared to 606 in February 2021. The February 2022 total includes 700 permits to drill new oil or gas wells, eight to re-enter plugged wellbores, and 119 for re-completions of existing wellbores.

The breakdown of well types for original drilling permits in February 2022 is 181 oil, 81 gas, 518 oil or gas, 46 injection, and 10 other permits.

In February 2022, Commission staff processed 580 oil, 115 gas, and 124 injection completions for new drills, re-entries, and re-completions, compared to 482 oil, 107 gas, and 89 injection completions in February 2021.

Total well completions processed for 2022 year-todate for new drills, re-entries, and re-completions are 1,747 compared to 1,663 recorded during the same period in 2021.

Detailed data on drilling permits and well completions for the month can be found at this link: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/researchand-statistics/drilling-information/monthly-drillingcompletion-and-plugging-summaries/

PERMITS TO DRILL NEW OIL/ GAS HOLES

DISTRICT

NEW OIL COMPLETIONS

NEW GAS COMPLETIONS

(1) SAN ANTONIO AREA

111

24

24

(2) REFUGIO AREA

69

32

19

(3) SOUTHEAST TEXAS

14

14

2

(4) DEEP SOUTH TEXAS

5

1

2

(5) EAST CENTRAL TX

10

1

0

(6) EAST TEXAS

36

3

12

(7B) WEST CENTRAL TX

16

8

1

(7C) SAN ANGELO AREA

28

54

0

(8) MIDLAND

355

358

34

(8A) LUBBOCK AREA

23

12

0

(9) NORTH TEXAS

29

13

3

(10) PANHANDLE

4

10

4

TOTAL

700

530

101

*A district map is available on the Railroad Commission of Texas website at https://rrc.texas.gov/media/3bkhbut0/districts_color_8x11.pdf.

Source: rrc.texas.gov

SAFETY

US Department of Labor Urges Workers, Employers, Public To Recognize Hazards, Ensure Safety After Recent Storms in Texas, Louisiana

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

T

he U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is urging response crews and residents in areas affected by recent storms that spawned tornadoes in North Texas and New Orleans to recognize and protect themselves from hazards created by flooding, power loss, structural damage, fallen trees, and storm debris.

Response and recovery workers restoring electricity and communications, removing debris, repairing water damage, mending or replacing roofs, and trimming trees will encounter many hazards and risks to personal safety. Storm recovery and cleanup work should only be done by individuals with proper training, equipment, and experience.

After any disaster, those involved in response and recovery should: • Evaluate the work area for hazards.

• Assess the stability of structures and walking surfaces.

• Be sure to use fall protection when working on elevated surfaces.

• Assume all power lines are live.

• Always keep portable generators outside.

• Never attach a generator directly to a structure’s electrical system until a qualified electrician has installed a transfer switch for the generator.

• Operate chainsaws, ladders, and other equipment properly.

• Use personal protective equipment, such as gloves, hard hats,

and hearing protection, as well as safeguards for feet and eyes.

• Have plenty of drinking water available, use sunscreen and take frequent rest breaks in shaded areas. Wear light-colored, loosefitting clothing.

“Employers, workers, homeowners, or any other people involved in cleanup and recovery activities must as-

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sess the potential for hazardous conditions and exposures before beginning work,” said OSHA Regional Administrator Eric Harbin in Dallas. “Employers must follow safe work practices, provide training on worksite hazards and ensure the use of appropriate personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of injuries.”

OSHA maintains a comprehensive webpage on hurricane preparedness and response with safety tips to help employers and workers, including an alert on keeping workers safe during flood cleanup. Individuals involved in response and recovery efforts may call OSHA at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. Learn more about OSHA. Source: osha.gov

April 2022 | 23

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SAFETY

SAFETY

Secretary of Labor

Marty Walsh Addresses President’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Request

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

T

he Biden-Harris administration today released the President’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget and Fiscal Year 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. The President’s Budget details his vision to expand on the historic progress our country has made over the last year and deliver the agenda he laid out in his State of the Union address: to build a better America, reduce the deficit, reduce costs for families and grow the economy from the bottom up and middle out.

The strategic plan describes the goals and objectives the department plans to accomplish over the next four years.

“President Biden’s 2023 budget request of $14.6 billion in discretionary resources for the Department of Labor is an explicit value statement on empowering workers morning, noon, and night,” said Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “It calls for investments in the foundations of our country’s strength – our workers, their families, and their communities. The Budget delivers on the heart of the President’s economic agenda, seeks to advance equity, and harnesses our economy to lift our people toward good middleclass jobs.”

Thebudget budgetmakes makescritical criticalinvestments investmentsin The in the American people the American people thatthat willwill helphelp lay lay a a stronger foundation for shared growth stronger foundation for shared growth and and prosperity for generations to come. prosperity for generations to come.

At the At the Department ofthe Labor, the budget Department of Labor, budget would: would: • Empower and protect workers. To ensure

employers treat workers with dignity and respect, the discretionary request invests $2.2 billion – an increase of $397 million over the 2021 enacted level – in the department’s worker protection agencies. This will enable the department to conduct the enforcement and regulatory work needed to ensure workers’ wages and benefits are protected and improve workplace health and safety. It also restores resources to oversee and enforce the equal employment obligations of federal contractors, including protections against discrimination based on race, gender, disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

• Equip workers with the skills they need to obtain high-quality jobs. The budget invests in effective, evidence-based training models to equip workers with the skills they need to obtain high-quality jobs by requesting $303 million to expand Registered Apprenticeship opportunities while increasing access for historically underrepresented groups.

Community colleges play a critical role in providing accessible, low-cost, high-quality training. The budget calls for $100 million to build their capacity to work with the public workforce development system and employers to design and deliver high-quality training

for in-demand jobs. It also includes $100 million for a new Sectoral Employment through Career Training for Occupational Readiness program, which will support sector-based training programs focused on growing industries, providing underserved and underrepresented workers access to good jobs, and creating the skilled workforce the economy needs to thrive.

• Improve access and equity in the unemployment insurance system. Unemployment insurance benefits helped over 53 million workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own and put some $870 billion back into the economy during the pandemic.

The budget invests $3.4 billion to modernize, protect and strengthen this critical program. This includes several investments aimed at tackling fraud in the UI program, including funding to support enhanced identity verification for UI applicants and help states develop and test fraud-prevention tools and strategies.

They will also allow the Office of Inspector General to increase its investigations into fraud rings targeting the UI program. The budget also puts forward principles for UI reform. As the pandemic has made clear, regular UI benefits in most states are far too low, leaving families without the resources needed to make ends meet during an economic crisis.

• Safeguard equal opportunity and nondiscrimination. The budget provides additional support to the Civil Rights Center to expand its enforcement work and also supports the efforts of the Women’s Bureau to remedy the negative impact of the pandemic on women. In addition, the budget provides additional funding to allow the Office of Disability Employment Policy to test new strategies to enable low-income youth with disabilities to transition to employment.

• Strengthen mental health parity protections.

The budget requires all health plans to cover mental health benefits, ensures that plans have an adequate network of behavioral health providers, and improves the department’s ability to enforce the law. Additionally, the budget includes $275 million over 10 years to increase the department’s capacity to ensure that large group market health plans and issuers comply with mental health and substance use disorder requirements and to take action against plans and issuers that do not comply.

The President’s Budget makes these smart investments while also reducing deficits and improving our country’s long-term fiscal outlook.

For more information, please visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/.

Source: osha.gov

US Department of Labor Announces Proposed Rule To Amend Federal Occupational Injury, Illness Recordkeeping Regulation

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

T

he U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is proposing amendments to its occupational injury and illness recordkeeping regulation, 29 CFR 1904.41. The current regulation requires certain employers to electronically submit injury and illness information – that they are required to keep – to OSHA. The agency uses these reports to identify and respond to emerging hazards and makes aspects of the information publicly available.

In addition to reporting their Annual Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, the proposed rule would require certain establishments in certain highhazard industries to electronically submit additional information from their Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, as well as their Injury and Illness Incident Report.

As part of OSHA's mission to protect workers and mitigate workplace hazards, this rule would improve OSHA's ability to use its enforcement and compliance assistance resources to identify workplaces where workers are at high risk. The proposed rule would also advance the department's mission to empower workers by increasing transparency in the workforce.

The proposed rule would: • Require establishments with 100 or more employees in certain high-hazard industries to electronically submit information from their OSHA Forms 300, 301, and 300A to OSHA once a year.

• Update the classification system used to determine the list of industries covered by the electronic submission requirement.

• Remove the current requirement for establishments with 250 or more employees not in a designated industry to electronically submit information from their Form 300A to OSHA annually.

• Require establishments to include their company name when making electronic submissions to OSHA.

Establishments with 20 or more employees in certain high-hazard industries would continue to be required to electronically submit information from their OSHA Form 300A annual summary to OSHA annually.

Submit comments online using Docket No. OSHA2021-0006 on the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Read the Federal Register notice for details. Comments must be submitted 60 days after the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register.

Learn more about OSHA's Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements at https://www. osha.gov/recordkeeping.

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Source: osha.gov

April 2022 | 25

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SMALL BUSINESS ON THE MOVE Take your company to new heights!

ARCHITECTURE/ ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

GENERAL SERVICES

SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT

METRO’s OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS OFFERS: • Outreach • Certification • Compliance

• Virtual one-on-one • Small Business University (SBU) • Business Development

For more information, contact METRO’s Office of Small Business at smallbusiness@RideMETRO.org or call 713.739.4844.

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TRANSPORTATION

Jenny Barket Joins DART as Chief of Staff

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

A

fter an extensive nationwide search, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is pleased to announce that Jenny Barket will join the agency on May 15 as the new chief of staff.

Serving as a senior advisor to DART president & chief executive officer Nadine Lee, Barket will lead a variety of strategic, tactical, and operational initiatives in her new role, focusing on issues that have an agency-wide impact.

Photo Caption: Jenny Barket will join DART on May 15 as the new chief of staff.

Lee. "Her impressive leadership style, comprehensive experience, knowledge of the public transportation industry, and strategic understanding of opera"We are thrilled that Jenny will join tions will bring DART to a whole new DART as the Chief of Staff," said Nadine level of service for the DFW region."

As a director at WSP USA, a leading engineering and professional services firm, Barket served as a strategic advisor to projects across the country, including the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's BART - Silicon Valley Phase II Extension, the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission SunRail Transition Study, and the New Jersey Transit Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Extension. Barket also served as legal counsel to the United States Department of Transportation's Build America Bureau, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Regional Transportation District in Denver, Colorado.

"It is an honor and a privilege to join the executive leadership team at DART," said Barket. "This is such an exciting time at the agency. With the launch of DART's New Bus Network in January, as well as a new laser focus on the entire customer journey, I'm looking forward to applying my experience and passion for public transportation to serving the people of Dallas and surrounding DART communities by providing my full support to the DART Board of Directors, Ms. Lee, her leadership team, and the entire DART staff in fulfilling their mission of improving the future for our riders here at DART." Barket (bar-KET, sounds like Marquette) holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida, and Juris Doctor and Master of Laws degrees from Duke University Law School.

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Source: Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)

April 2022 | 27

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TRANSPORTATION

Cargo Continues Record Pace Container Volume up 37 Percent Compared To Same Month Last Year

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

C

ontainer volume at Port Houston in February totaled 271,399 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), which is 37 percent more than the same month in 2021. In the first two months of 2022, container volume at Port Houston totaled 594,826 TEUs, an increase of 31% year-to-date.

“This is the biggest February Port Houston has ever seen in terms of containers. In response to this strong growth, we are accelerating projects at our container terminals, like opening additional gates at our Barbours Cut Container Terminal,” Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther said. “The arrival of three new neoPanamax ship-to-shore cranes at our Bayport Container Terminal in February will allow us to work larger ships than ever before, which is another way we are well poised for the future of container shipping,” Guenther said.

“Those new cranes are expected to be fully operational by mid-April of this year.” Other measures are being considered to reduce long dwell on containers, which adds pressure on space at the terminals as they move the record number of boxes. Guenther called for collaboration to increase efficiency.

“We are asking importers to expedite the pickup of containers and for exporters to work closely with their carriers to improve schedules and delivery to maintain a fluid environment,” Guenther said. “We are doing what we can to expedite movements as well.

Starting in March we are waiving dockage for ships waiting at anchor that have a berth and are just waiting for gang assignments.

This will accelerate the working of vessels to push cargo through the system quicker.”

Steel moving through Port Houston’s multi-purpose facilities cargo is also steadily increasing. Steel imports are up 167 percent this month compared to February of last year, a positive sign for the energy sector.

Source: porthouston.com

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TRANSPORTATION

Port Houston Commits to Carbon Neutrality by 2050

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

P

ort Houston recently announced its goal to be carbon neutral in the next 30 years. Port officials plan to achieve a net-zero GHG footprint by 2050 by upgrading technology, improving infrastructure and equipment, and utilizing alternative fuels and clean energy sources.

“Our goal is ambitious, but we must be practical in how we achieve it. The choices we make will be good for the environment and also good for the economy and the millions of people who rely on the Houston Ship Channel and Port Houston for their jobs,” Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther said. “As with most ambitious goals, we cannot do it alone. Collaboration and partnership will be keys to our success.”

In addition to 72 ongoing initiatives, Port Houston recently launched a Sustainability Action Plan that includes 27 opportunities to lead, partner, or support sustainability initiatives.

Over the next three years, Port Houston plans to install smart lighting at its facilities, improve gate efficiencies, improve navigation efficiencies and create 800 acres of new wildlife habitat.

As part of the carbon neutrality action plan, Port Houston is also working toward eventually eliminating dockside emissions, transitioning trucks to low/no emissions vehicles, helping implement green shipping corridors as well as green marine and road fuels.

"EDF supports the port’s commitment to bring government, industry, and community together to eliminate climate pollution and protect public health as urgently as we can,” Environmental Defense Fund Senior Director for Climate and Health Elena Craft said.

“We know that today’s work must be done sustainably for future generations. Port Houston facilities are just part of the overall equation, though,” Guenther said. “Reductions are needed throughout the supply chain, including ships, trucks, tenants, and other operators. Global decarbonization in shipping is also needed to achieve a better tomorrow.”

Port Houston reduced its carbon footprint by 55% from 2016 to 2021 and studies showed a 21% reduction in carbon footprint from 2013 to 2019 by Port Houston and the other varied operators who utilize the Channel.

Source: porthouston.com

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