Grant applications can be intimidating, but here's the workshop to work them out. Find out how to get Clean Vehicles funding to upgrade your whole fleet or just one truck. Whether it's propane, natural gas, hybrid-electric, or just clean diesel, we have funding for your upgrade and the know-how to guide you through the process.

Convenient workshop locations will be all over the region from September 8th until October 3rd. At least one workshop is scheduled in every county, so check out the website to find a location near you. http://www.houston-cleancities.org/events.htm 

You are invited to H-GAC's September Brown Bag Series presentation. Jon Barlett is a Geographer with the U.S. Census Bureau in Dallas, Texas. He holds a Masters Degree in Geography from Texas State University. Previously, Jon worked as a GIS contractor for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Dallas.

Jon will demonstrate how to obtain 2010 Census data through both the American Factfinder 2 and the 2010 Census Redistricting Data websites. He will then show suggested steps for processing the data and integrating with Census 2010 TIGER\Line Shapefiles.

H-GAC's Brown Bag Series 

Thursday, September 15, 2011
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
H-GAC, 3555 Timmons Lane
Conference Room A
Houston, TX 77027

Bring your lunch and join us!

The Grand Parkway is a proposed 184 mile circumferential freeway around metropolitan Houston, divided into 11 segments of independent utility (A thru I-2) based on intersections with the regional radial freeway network. TxDOT and Fort Bend County are actively preparing to construct or enter into agreements with other entities to construct, maintain, and/or operate segments of the Grand Parkway.
 

TxDOT has awarded contracts for the construction of Segment E of the SH 99 corridor. This segment connects I-10 and SH-290. TxDOT is exploring ways to develop 38 additional miles of segments F-1, F-2, and G. This includes SH-290, SH-249, I-45N, and SH-59N to be completed by 2015.
 

For a complete map, visit HERE.

The Regional Goods Movement Study team just wrapped up the Needs Assessment Report. This is the third in a series of four reports being used by H-GAC to determine the possible solutions that will promote the fluid movement of goods and people through our region. The report can be found on the Regional Goods Movement web site HERE. 

In October, H-GAC will host a series of public meetings in Houston, Pearland, and Stafford on the proposed recommendations. Meeting information will be posted in the coming weeks on our web site HERE. 

The TPC will soon receive recommendations for the use of Proposition 12 funding and the balance of Surface Transportation-METRO Mobility and Congestion Management/Air Quality funds for the 2011-2014 TIP. In addition to $92 million of available TIP funds, the Houston metropolitan area is also scheduled to receive approximately $500 million of State Proposition 12 funds to apply toward "ready to go" highway priorities. TIP projects will be programed through 2014. However, Proposition 12 projects will be scheduled for contract letting over the next two years.

In September, the TPC will will be asked for permission to seek public comment on amendments to 2011-14 TIP and 2035 RTP Update incorporating funded projects for the balance of CMAQ/STP and Proposition 12 projects. A thirty-day public comment period is scheduled to immediately follow the September 23, 2011 TPC meeting. In October, final approval of amendments to 2011-14 TIP and 2035 RTP Update should be made by the TAC and TPC. TxDOT approval of amendments to the Statewide TIP should occur in November.
 
For more information and background visit HERE.

H-GAC would like to extend its appreciation to everyone who made this year's Clean Air Action Leadership Awards Luncheon a success! At this year's program nearly 200 attendees including transportation stakeholders and elected officials paid tribute to employers and local governments leading the way in offering commuter benefits to their employees and for adopting clean fleet policies that mitigate congestion and improve air quality in our region. 
 
The awards luncheon spotlighted employers like Aramco Services Company and school districts such as Clear Creek ISD, Santa Fe ISD and Waller ISD. This year the "Best All Around Clean Air Leadership Award" went to the City of Houston and the "Air Quality Clean Fleet Leadership Awards" went to New South Parking and W. M. Dewey & Son, Inc.

A new addition to this year's luncheon was the recognition of major management districts throughout the region for taking the "My Solution Is..." challenge to promote commute alternatives to commuters, small businesses and other organizations within their district. 
 
For more information on how your organization might qualify for next year's awards, please visit www.commutesolutionshouston.org. For pictures from this year's luncheon visit our Flickr or Facebook page. 

The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season officially started on June 1st and will end on November 30th. With meteorologists forecasting above-average storm activity this year, it's more important than ever that the public is prepared for a storm event. 

The Regional Joint Information Center is a collaboration between regional emergency management partner organizations. Its website includes a hurricane preparedness checklist, hurricane tracking and evacuation maps, and other resources. In the event of an emergency, any evacuation orders for the region will be announced on this website. In addition to hurricane preparedness, you can also access information about natural and manmade disasters, traffic, safe schools and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

H-GAC Brown Bag Series - To view all videos of Brown Bag presentations visit HERE.

KTMD-Telemundo three-minute news story on H-GAC's Drayage Loan program on June 14th. Reporter Teresa Alonso highlighted details of the program and encouraged truck owners/operators to make inquiries via telephone. To see complete story click

HERE.  En Español.

Chronicles of a Teen Killer 

H-GAC and the Houston Police Department (HPD) recently commissioned and premiered "Chronicles of a Teen Killer", a documentary about the dangers of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).You can watch "Chronicles of a Teen Killer" on YouTube HERE.