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PREVIEW: League City to consider $814K for new traffic signals on Maple Leaf Drive and League City Parkway

League City City Council will consider at its April 28 meeting whether to award contracts totaling $814,000 for the design, construction and testing of a traffic signal system at the intersection of Maple Leaf Drive and League City Parkway.

The details: The project’s construction phase will include installing a mast-arm traffic signal system at the Maple Leaf and League City Parkway intersection, along with related lane improvements and adjustments and associated sidewalk or utility adjustments, according to city documents.

The context: According to city documents, the intersection currently does not need a traffic signal, but with the expansion of League City Parkway into Friendswood and more growth on the city’s west side, city planners said they anticipate a higher traffic volume at this intersection in the future.

Stay tuned: The council will meet at 6 p.m. April 28 at Council Chambers, located at 200 W. Walker St., League City.

 
On The Business Beat
ACU of Texas changes name to Openland Credit Union

The Associated Credit Union, or ACU, of Texas has changed its name to Openland Credit Union as of late March.

What you need to know: While ownership and services hasn't changed, the credit union felt it was time to give the brand an update, according to the credit union's website.

"We’ve evolved into a sophisticated, digitally-savvy financial institution with a bar-none banking experience that rivals even the biggest banks and fintechs," the website noted. "It became clear that our identity did not fully capture that spirit of innovation, nor the scale of our community impact."

What they offer: Openland Credit Union offers online banking, remote deposits, credit cards, auto and personal loans, home buying and refinancing support and college saving planning, among other services.

  • Locations vary

 
In Your Backyard
Neighborhood Fishin' program bringing catfish, rainbow trout to local lakes

Catfish and rainbow trout are now making their way to several community lakes in the Greater Houston area and across the state.

How it works: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is stocking 18 lakes in nine cities around Texas, including Austin, Houston and Bryan-College Station.

The Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes program is aimed at encouraging family fishing at 18 locations around the state that provide parking and are close to neighborhoods.

Quote of note: “Catfish are fun and easy to catch for anglers of all ages and experience levels. If you’ve never fished before, these are the perfect places to get started,” said Marcos DeJesus, East Texas regional director for TPWD’s Inland Fisheries Division, in a news release. “If you are an experienced angler, these are the perfect places to introduce fishing to a friend or family member.”

 
Statewide News
ERCOT forecasts quadruple growth in electric demand, warns estimate is likely overinflated

Demand on the Texas power grid could more than quadruple in the next six years, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas announced April 15.

The details: The state grid operator projected that peak electric demand could hit 367,790 megawatts by 2032—more than four times the current demand record of 85,508 megawatts, which was set during an August 2023 heat wave. Much of this forecasted growth is due to data centers, according to ERCOT documents.

However, ERCOT leaders warned that the growth forecast is “preliminary” and needs adjustments.

What's happening: During an April 17 meeting, ERCOT officials told the Public Utility Commission of Texas that they plan to work with utility providers to issue a revised forecast in the coming weeks.

“I think it's clear we need to engage in the process and look at ways to refine this number to something that's more usable,” PUC Chair Thomas Gleeson said.

Stay tuned: ERCOT said it expects peak electric demand on the grid this summer will hit between 90,500-98,000 megawatts, which would shatter the current demand record.

 

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Haley Velasco
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Papar Faircloth
General Manager

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