By BJ Austin, KERA News & Wire Services
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-982177.mp3
Dallas, TX – The manager of the electricity grid in Texas says four inactive natural gas units will be brought online for emergency use through October as the state battles extreme heat and drought.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said Tuesday it had agreed to short-term deals with NRG Energy and Garland Power and Light to activate the units.
ERCOT Chief Executive Trip Doggett says the units would be used only in emergencies to avoid competing with companies already bidding in the state's deregulated energy market.
Two weeks ago, the state set a power demand record three straight days, topping out at 68,295 megawatts and barely avoiding rotating outages. ERCOT says the four backup units can provide 400 megawatts of electricity.
Dallas County Commissioners Review Hi-Profile Contract
Dallas County Commissioners want some policy changes when it comes to no-bid, personal services contracts.
Tuesday, commissioners reviewed a contract for satellite dishes and maintenance. The company Wai Wize has been linked to the ongoing FBI investigation of Commissioner John Wiley Price. No one has been charged.
Commissioner Maurine Dickey says the County paid too much for the dishes and eight years of monthly maintenance - more than 600 thousand dollars.
Dickey: It's in the past, but we must be more careful of our purchasing practices. This really hurts the credibility of Dallas County when this comes up. And again, I'm not throwing blame on an individual. I'm saying we need to have better purchasing practices obviously.
County Judge Clay Jenkins says the contract was awarded according to county procedure. But he is calling for new policies on no-bid contracts.
Texas gears up for sales tax-free weekend
Texas businesses and shoppers are getting ready for this weekend's sales tax holiday as students prepare to return to school.
Comptroller Susan Combs says the sales tax break, on select items, runs Friday through Sunday. The tax exemption applies to qualified products purchased at a store in Texas or from an Internet or catalog seller that does business in the state.
The sales tax break applies to purchases of qualifying clothing, shoes, backpacks and school supplies that total less than $100.
Combs has predicted that shoppers in Texas will save more than $62 million in state and local sales taxes this weekend.
San Marcos police have announced increased patrols near outlet malls. Some exit ramps will close to help reroute the expected heavy traffic.
Billboard worker in Arlington falls to death
A billboard worker has died after falling about 30 feet from a sign near Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office on Tuesday identified the victim as 40-year-old John Burnette of Boyd.
Arlington police say the accident happened around midday Monday. Police say Burnette apparently lost his footing and fell to the ground.
Burnette was declared dead at an Arlington hospital.
Investigators did not immediately say whether Burnett was wearing a safety harness.
Texas mayor for day, 11, renames street for Bieber
The young mayor for a day at a Dallas-area city is a big Justin Bieber fan and she's renaming part of Main Street for the teen heartthrob.
Forney City Manager Brian Brooks says the request to create Justin Bieber Way came from 11-year-old Caroline Gonzalez. She's active in student council, recycling and community service projects. Her father submitted the winning essay, outlining his daughter's achievements, in the contest meant to get young people interested in municipal government.
Brooks told The Associated Press that city officials were unable to reach Bieber to invite him to Forney, about 15 miles east of Dallas.
The Justin Bieber Way sign was made by a city department at a cost of about $20. The name change is temporary.