| Meetings and Events | 7/18 - Technical Advisory Committee, Room A, 9:30 a.m. 7/23 - Solid Waste Management Committee, Room A, 10:00 a.m. 7/25 - Transportation Policy Council, Room A, 9:30 a.m. 7/25 - Gulf Coast Economic Development District, Room C, 10:00 a.m. 7/31 - Regional Air Quality Planning Committee, Room A, 1:30 p.m. 8/5 - Gulf Coast Workforce Board, Room A, 10:00 a.m. 8/6 - Area Emission Reduction Credit Organization, Room C, 2:00 p.m. |
| | The Challenge of Change Our region's economy continues to be vital and growing. Our strength in energy, coupled with increasing economic diversification, means that we have avoided much of the economic turbulence others are experiencing.
While we are doing well, some of the economic fundamentals are changing. High fuel costs affect everyone. Local governments are looking for operating efficiencies. Workers are looking for more economical transportation alternatives.
H-GAC is working in all these areas to help our region deal with new realities. We have just unveiled a Commuter Rail Study aimed at providing new transportation options in several corridors. Our Energy Purchasing Corporation can help local governments manage electricity costs. Our cooperative purchasing program, HGACBuy, has many energy efficient products at attractive prices. We can help public and private employers with commute alternatives and telecommuting programs for employees.
On a longer time scale, we are working with several local governments through our Livable Communities program to explore attractive and efficient approaches to future development.
H-GAC's programs and services are helping our region meet the challenge of change. We will continue to be alert to new service opportunities in the future. Jack Steele
Executive Director |
| August Is Commute Solutions Month |  H-GAC and its Commute Solutions partners are celebrating August as Commute Solutions month. Commute Solutions supports NuRide ride-share matching, teleworking, vanpooling and other transportation options. These programs reduce congestion, improve air quality and provide an alternate way to get to work during this period of high gas prices.
As part of Commute Solutions month, H-GAC is hosting a Corporate Luncheon and Awards Event on August 14, 2008 recognizing ten corporations and organizations as "Best Workplaces for Commuters". These companies promote workplace commute alternatives and employee incentives. They join 125 other outstanding organizations recognized in previous years. Other groups will be awarded for their commitment to transportation options.
Using the month's regional theme, "My Solution Is. . .", H-GAC is promoting a Commute Solutions Pledge Challenge throughout August encouraging employers and commuters to commit to using a commute alternative. Employers and commuters are encouraged to try out a commute alternative in August. Many will recognize the benefits of ride-sharing, vanpooling or riding the bus and continue year-round. |
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| Regional Commuter Rail Connectivity Study | | |
In the spring of 2006 the Houston-Galveston Area Council undertook a comprehensive regional commuter rail connectivity study. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility, accessibility, and connectivity requirements of implementing commuter rail service along selected corridors in the H-GAC Transportation Management Area. All existing freight rail corridors in the region were ranked by factors such as demand, cost, right of way availability, capacities or freight volumes, and major stakeholder plans. These analyses resulted in a recommended system known as "the baseline system" that consists of five corridors as follows: - US 290
- SH 3 / Galveston
- SH 249
- South Fort Bend / BNSF Galveston
- SH 35 Toll way
Findings from this two-year study indicate that a long distance Commuter Rail System is both plausible and possible. An order of magnitude capital cost estimate for this baseline system is about $3.0 billion, annual operating expenses are estimated at approximately $89 million, and daily riders are estimated at about 41,000. For additional information and to review the entire report go to www.hgaccommuterrail.com. |
| Transportation Public Meetings | 
H-GAC invites the public to participate in a discussion about transportation planning priorities for our region's future. Items for discussion include: - Local projects/issues
- Subregional planning
- Managed lanes
- Funding and the future
The meetings will be held at the following locations: Monday, July 21, 2008, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Westside Event Center 2150 Countryplace Parkway Pearland, TX 77584 Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Johnnie Arolfo Center 400 W. Walker League City, TX 77573 Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Baytown Community Center 2407 Market Street Baytown, TX 77520 H-GAC serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for transportation planning in the eight-county Houston-Galveston area. This area includes Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties. For more information, visit: www.h-gac.com/transportation or contact Stephanie Lee at 713-993-4581 or stephanie.lee@h-gac.com. |
| Clean Waters Initiative | 
Clean water is crucial to our region's environment, economy, and quality of life. The Houston-Galveston Area Council and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, in conjunction with area stakeholders, is launching the Clean Waters Initiative (CWI) to enable leaders throughout the region to be better stewards of this strategic resource. For program information, visit www.h-gac.com/cwi.
H-GAC is hosting a series of workshops to help local governments, agencies, landowners, developers, engineers, contractors, and citizens develop effective strategies to reduce pollution in area waterways. Some workshops will address broader issues of watershed protection planning, stormwater permitting, and developer costs. Others will focus on specific issues, such as leaking septic tanks, homeowner maintenance, enforcement, and pollution from urban development or agriculture. There is no cost to attend and light refreshments will be served. On-Site Septic Systems
August 7, 2008
8:00 AM to 12:30 PM
H-GAC Room A, 2nd Floor
3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, TX 77027
Please RSVP by Tuesday, August 5, to Sandra McKnight at Sandra.McKnight@h-gac.com or 713-993-2461. Managing Stormwater
August 12, 2008
8:00 AM to 12:30 PM
The Lone Star Convention & Expo Center
9055 Airport Road (FM 1484)
Conroe, TX 77303 Managing Stormwater
August 15, 2008
8:00 AM to 12:30 PM
H-GAC Room A, 2nd Floor
3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, TX 77027
Please RSVP by Tuesday, August 12, to Sandra McKnight at Sandra.McKnight@h-gac.com or 713-993-2461.
H-GAC can also make individual group presentations or tailor workshops to the needs of specific communities or counties. Contact Dr. Kathleen Ramsey at 713-499-6653 or email Kathleen.Ramsey@h-gac.com if you would like to schedule a workshop.
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| HGACBuy |  The 2008 mowing season has begun. If your jurisdiction is looking for new mowers, tractors or chippers please visit the HGACBuy (www.hgacbuy.org) web site to view the full array of grounds maintenance equipment available through competitively procured contracts. With the extremely dry conditions, your jurisdiction may also be looking to purchase brush fire fighting equipment which is also available through the program. To view these and other products and services available to you, go to www.hgacbuy.org. Some information is password protected so enter this temporary password temp1 if you reach a screen that requests a password. When you purchase through HGACBuy, you benefit from the buying power of a nationwide 2000-member government cooperative. Using the H-GAC contract, you can place your order directly with the H-GAC vendor. Not sure if your jurisdiction is a member? View the complete list at http://www.hgacbuy.org/program/endusers/default.aspx. Contact Jackie Palmer at 713-993-2466 or toll free 800-926-0234 if you have any questions. |
| H-GAC Board of Directors | | The agenda and attachments for the Board of Directors meetings are posted on our web site at www.h-gac.com. The documents are posted the week before each meeting. Board meetings are held at 10:00 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month on the second floor at 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, Texas 77027. |
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