Why Houston Will (Likely) Remain the Energy Capital for the Foreseeable Future (Dallas: income, rail)

[cBach]

Originally Posted by Mandres

It depends completely on what happens in battery technology in the next 10-20 years. Solar is, and always has been, the energy source for all life on this planet. We just can't store it and transport it as efficiently as fossil fuels yet. Our species needs one or two more big steps in battery efficiency and we'll be there. Someday soon, this generation's Frederick Sanger will appear with a novel battery design that changes everything and we can finally take full advantage.

The batteries that are being designed for cars are going to be what causes the demise of the oil industry.

It's a bitter irony that the industry that started the demand for the oil industry (automobile) will cause the decline of the oil industry.

Tesla will be the new GM and Trina Solar the new Exxon.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Houston needs to take a page from Dallas and spend its time courting non-oil businesses. I think they have definitely gained great ground here, but we still have a ways to go.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by Cowboys fan in Houston

Houston needs to take a page from Dallas and spend its time courting non-oil businesses. I think they have definitely gained great ground here, but we still have a ways to go.

Dallas is a distribution hub due to its central location. Houston doesn't have that advantage.

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by cBach

Dallas is a distribution hub due to its central location. Houston doesn't have that advantage.

Once they get I-69 completed it will become a preferred route from Mexico to the eastern US and Canada and back over I-35. Houston is already starting to capture distribution to its own area, it's ridiculous that goods come into the port of Houston, then are put on trains to DFW just to be unloaded onto trucks to be brought back to Houston, believe it or not this is happening now. But there is all kinds of warehouse space being built in the east Houston burbs that will capture the local distribution and turn Houston into a logistics and distribution hub of it's own.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by Jack Lance

Once they get I-69 completed it will become a preferred route from Mexico to the eastern US and Canada and back over I-35. Houston is already starting to capture distribution to its own area, it's ridiculous that goods come into the port of Houston, then are put on trains to DFW just to be unloaded onto trucks to be brought back to Houston, believe it or not this is happening now. But there is all kinds of warehouse space being built in the east Houston burbs that will capture the local distribution and turn Houston into a logistics and distribution hub of it's own.

I-69 has made very little progress in the past few years. I believe that it will be another 30 years before even the Texas portion will have been completed. The Louisiana portion currently has no funds and won't for a long time. I'd suspect the Louisiana portion may take 50 years to complete.

Before you spout off, let me help you understand as I may be older than you...

Let's take I-49 as an example. Started in 1981 it still isn't finished in Louisiana. There is a segment in Shreveport that is not finished, and they still haven't even started the section in Lafayette.

36 years and not finished and Louisiana is a much smaller state than Texas so many less miles.

Don't count on I-69 saving anyone...

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by cBach

I-69 has made very little progress in the past few years. I believe that it will be another 30 years before even the Texas portion will have been completed. The Louisiana portion currently has no funds and won't for a long time. I'd suspect the Louisiana portion may take 50 years to complete.

Before you spout off, let me help you understand as I may be older than you...

Let's take I-49 as an example. Started in 1981 it still isn't finished in Louisiana. There is a segment in Shreveport that is not finished, and they still haven't even started the section in Lafayette.

36 years and not finished and Louisiana is a much smaller state than Texas so many less miles.

Don't count on I-69 saving anyone...

Nobody needs saving but I-69 through Texas is progressing faster than you think. Actually the main benefit to Houston will be the section between here and the Valley and most of US 59 is already interstate ready its just a matter of a few overpasses and literally posting signage, plus there is a spur to Texarkana that will allow travelers to avoid Louisiana (maybe for the reasons you site) and will connect I-69 to I-20 and I-30. Houston will carve out its share of the Logistics and distribution pie and it's happening now.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by Jack Lance

Nobody needs saving but I-69 through Texas is progressing faster than you think. Actually the main benefit to Houston will be the section between here and the Valley and most of US 59 is already interstate ready its just a matter of a few overpasses and literally posting signage, plus there is a spur to Texarkana that will allow travelers to avoid Louisiana (maybe for the reasons you site) and will connect I-69 to I-20 and I-30. Houston will carve out its share of the Logistics and distribution pie and it's happening now.

Very little done now, see map:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inters...69_(Texas).svg

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by cBach

Very little done now, see map:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inters...69_(Texas).svg

There is a lot of construction going on now


http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot...ojects_map.pdf

[Farink]

Moved ato SoCal from Houston and with $.41/kwh for tier 2 (usage of more than 340 kWh), solar panels have become the norm. We don't even notice them anymore. 2,600 sq ft homes with pools have $600 monthly electric bills easy. And although we "iced" our pools in Houston, folks here have to heat their pools to get in for a swim (yes, even in July and August). With price of electricity here, ther is no option but go solar. If a house has it, once it hits the market it's the first thing under description: Owner purchased (not leased) solar panels! (And I used to complain about $.12/kWh when we lived in Texas...)

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by Farink

Moved ato SoCal from Houston and with $.41/kwh for tier 2 (usage of more than 340 kWh), solar panels have become the norm. We don't even notice them anymore. 2,600 sq ft homes with pools have $600 monthly electric bills easy. And although we "iced" our pools in Houston, folks here have to heat their pools to get in for a swim (yes, even in July and August). With price of electricity here, ther is no option but go solar. If a house has it, once it hits the market it's the first thing under description: Owner purchased (not leased) solar panels! (And I used to complain about $.12/kWh when we lived in Texas...)

How much of that .41c kwh is due to the regulatory scheme in California ? California is rich in carbon resources they could easily deliver the same economy as Texas, and if they did what would that do to the Solar industry there ?