6 replies to this topic

[BlueMound]

A $26 billion plan to save the Houston area from rising seas

https://arstechnica....om-rising-seas/

'the centerpiece of the latest Corps proposal is a massive set of gates across the Bolivar Roads. As a storm approaches, the two main navigation gates will float and swing out of dry docks to close the channel. Each will be 82 feet high—with 22 feet above water when closed—and 650 feet wide—almost twice the length of a football field. These giants will be combined with two smaller swing gates, plus a set of vertical lift gates that stay open in normal weather to let the tides flow.'

[renamerusk]

Except for the phenomenal Medical District, I think that it is not worth it as harsh as that seems.

 

Houston's economy is reaping what it sowed:  Oil and Gas and Petrochemical driving up global warming and the industry has known it was quite somewhile. That and not to mention Hurricane Russian Roulet makes the entire Gulf Coast a disaster in waiting.

How many of America's coastal cities, large and small can we afford to save?  How do we pick winners and losers?

 

I have made it known to any number of family members that they should not consider Houston for a permanent residency.  Come home to FW/Tarrant County.

[renamerusk]

I wish to apologize to the Forum.  My comment was extremely harsh and knee jerk. 

 

I listened to a news brief which revealed that nearly 50% of the U.S. Infrastructure lies within the area where rising sea level caused by climate change will have the most devastation.  I suppose the other 50% will be experiencing extreme heat, unprecedented drought or rainfall which will impact the food supply.  It is not a pretty scenario;and perhaps we are just beginning to realize the consequences of building in vulnerable areas.

 

Lets say that providing $26B to help in the purchase of electrification of our infrastructure and modes of transportation as one of the tools to help in the fight against climate change. I would support that.

 

Again sorry for the snap comment! I was wrong.

[txbornviking]

$26B may seem like a huge number, but when you consider Houston has a GDP greater than $500B, the Ike Dike really seems like a fair investment in resiliency 

[renamerusk]

Yes. Houston is a city worth saving.  I do think that cities along the Gulf Coast will need to be more diligent in how they do future developments.  In my opinion, spending on a flood gate is putting a bandage on a global pandemic "Climate Change".  Use the money for this infrastructure instead on improving Houston's transit which will reduce carbon emissions.

[BlueMound]

New carbon storage economy to emerge along the Gulf Coast

https://www.scienced...10706115351.htm

• Texas and Louisiana's unique offshore geology make the region a particularly good spot to build up a carbon storage economy.
• In Texas, state-owned lands extend to 10.35 miles offshore instead of the usual 3.45 miles due to a law that went into effect when Texas was a sovereign nation. The historical act ends up simplifying issues of ownership and permitting today.
• In June, Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law HB 1284, granting the Texas Railroad Commission the same regulatory authority over CO2 injection wells as it has over oil and gas wells. 
• Enhanced oil recovery has been in use for decades and has produced an existing network of pipelines for transporting CO2 along the Gulf Coast. In addition, the two existing carbon capture facilities in Texas were built with these measures in mind.
• Increasing 45Q federal tax credit, which offsets tax liability for industries to different degrees depending on how the CO2 is stored, is making carbon storage for its own sake more attractive.

[renamerusk]

Sounds like the O&G Industry is being allowed to double dip: enable carbon emission, then turn around an capture it for storage.  Is storage capacity infinite or not?

 

Why not reduce the amount of carbon emission produced.  It looks like to me reducing CE can eliminate the need to capture and store.  As the saying goes :"When you find your self in a hole over your head, stop digging!"

 

Here is where someone needs to educate me.