THENEWSPAPER POST SERVING GALVESTON COUNTY P.O.BOX 1686 Texas City, TX 77592 - 409-943-4265 - [email protected] Vol. 16, No. 17 Sunday, January 13, 2019 USPS 9400 / Cost .75 ¢ PORT OF TEXAS CITY PLAYING KEY ROLE IN NATION'S RISE ATOP WORLD'S OIL PRODUCERS By: Brandon Williams ALMOST QUIETLY, THE PORT OF TEXAS CITY is now in the forefront of the nation’s rise as the world’s largest producer of oil. As the success in the state’s Permian Basin has helped the United States produce nearly 12 million barrels per day, the process of export- ing crude has led the port becoming perhaps the nation’s leader in welcoming Very Large Crude Containers (VLCC). Since the FPMC C Melody arrived last at the port’s Enterprise Terminal last June – mak- ing it the first port in the nation to receive a VLCC – six more have made their way to Texas City. “The frequency of VLCCs is increasing,” said Greg DeLong, the Marine Liaison for En- terprise Products, which has partnered with Enbridge to form the Seaway venture. “There is more interest in ports wanting to have VLCCs, but we are currently in position to handle what the demand has to offer.” Enterprise has averaged loading more than a million barrels at its terminal, yet the mas- sive size of the VLCCs (at least 1,100 feet long) means they are filled at barely over half its capacity. However, Seaway is in the process of developing offshore deep-water ports that would allow the VLCCs to be loaded near their maximum storage. Once that goal is reached, the average of U.S. crude exports will continue to increase. The timing could not be more perfect for the port. Crude oil exports in the United States, which hovered at just under four million barrels per day in 2008, is projected to approach 7,000,000 barrels per day by 2025. The Perm- ian Basin alone is currently delivering more than 3.8 million barrels per day, a number that will rise sharply as Royal Dutch Shell and BP begin to eye the vast bounty that Exxon and Chevron have led the way in making the Basin one of the world’s hottest oil exploration sites. “I am becoming more convinced that the Permian Basin could eventually give Ghawar a run for its money,” said Forbes Magazine contributing writer Robert Rapier, referring to the Ghawar oil field in Saudi Arabia, which have consistently produced more than 5 million barrels per day for the past 20-plus years. That, in turn, brings the port’s ability to handle VLCCs as a major player in the process. “All of this is being driven by the Permian Basin,” said Rick Rainey, Vice-President of Public Relations for Enterprise Products. “There’s a need for an outlet to ship it off, and we’re in the right place to do so. Still, we’re going to need all the infrastructure we can get to become even more efficient.” Enterprise envisions that the port will be able to load between 80-90 percent of the barrels before the VLCCs head offshore to take in the rest. Rainey added that the Enterprise terminal is expecting at least four more VLCCs to arrive into Texas City within the next few weeks. HERE'S HOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IS AFFECTING TEXAS A LITTLE HELP FOR OUR FRIENDS BY EMMA PLATOFF (Reprinted from the Texas Tribune) The Texas City Fire Dept. has challenged the Texas City Police Dept. to a diaper collection challenge. The Challenge is to collect as many packages of diapers as possible by 5 p.m. Wednesday, January 16th. The losing Chief will wear a T-shirt representing the other ser- vices Department for the day on Friday, January 18th. All diapers collected will be distributed to the Coast Guard Families both on the Mainland and the Island. We need all sizes so whatever size you wish to donate will be most appreci- ated and put to good use. Your support will be greatly appreciated! Diapers may be dropped off an any Texas City Fire Station or The Tex- as City Police Depart- ment or arrangements may be made for pick up prior to 12 p.m. Wednes- day, January 16th by calling 409-643-5700. A view of northern Mexico from the South Rim of the Chisos Mountain in Big Bend National Park. Bob Daemmrich Monday marked day 17 of the federal government’s partial shutdown, the WHAT IS THE CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY? long-running result of a stalemate between President Donald Trump and The role of Police has always been an interest to the average Citizen. The television media has Congress over Trump’s promised border wall. In its third week, the shutdown capitalized upon this curiosity with shows such as “Cops”, “America’s Most Wanted”, and “Sto- is now the longest since December 1995, when the federal government ries of the Highway Patrol”. Each week, real police action is broadcast into the living rooms of stayed closed 21 full days. millions of Americans. Numerous Police Agencies have also benefited from the curiosity that Not everything is closed. Law enforcement and mail workers are still on the citizens have about the police. These agencies have formed Citizen Police Academy programs job; about 75 percent of the government is funded. But operations have been that create an expansion of their community based efforts. impacted at nine sprawling federal departments, and some 800,000 of the These programs are intended to open the lines of communication between the Community country’s 2.1 million federal workers are not being paid. and the Police Department. Generally, the relationship between the police and the citizen is What does all that mean for Texas? one of “love/hate”. To the Citizen, it may frequently appear that the police are not doing their Work, but no pay job or are exceeding their boundaries. By Thousands of federal workers in Texas are among those nationwide who allowing citizens a firsthand look at what have been compelled to work without pay as the government remains par- rules, regulations and policies the police tially shut down. follow, some of the misunderstanding may Thousands of Transportation Security Administration workers staffing air- be alleviated. The objective of the Citizen port security screenings are expected to continue working. But hundreds Police Academy is not to train an individual have been calling in sick, according to a Friday report from CNN — includ- to be a “Reserve Police Officer” but to pro- ing two to three times more workers missing work than usual at Dallas-Fort duce informed citizens. Worth International Airport. The Citizens and Police Officers meet "This problem of call-outs is really going to explode over the next week each other face to face in a neutral, friendly or two when employees miss their first paycheck," a DFW union official told setting and each becomes a person to the CNN. "TSA officers are telling the union they will find another way to make other. In the past, citizens have simply seen money. That means calling out to work other jobs." a uniform, now they have an understand- For some federal workers in Texas, there may be good news: According to ing about the person behind the badge. Lisa Givens, a spokeswoman for the Texas Workforce Commission, federal The Texas City Citizen Police Academy workers who are furloughed or working without a paycheck may be eligible Alumni Association meets monthly and in- for unemploymentfsc_frontpagestrip_0118.pdf insurance 1 1/7/2019 benefits. 1:17:08 As PM of Monday, the commission has vites all Academy participants to join in and received more than 1,800 initial claims as- be a part CONTINUED ON PG 3 sociated with the shutdown, Givens said. of learning CONTINUED ON PG 3 FAMILY SERVICE CENTER OF GALVESTON COUNTY HONORING Connections of the Heart Gala Tino and Denise Gonzalez FlashbackFlashback Friday, February 1, 2019 RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE AT FRIDAYFRIDAY FSCGAL.ORG Dancing with The J.A.M. Session DJ & Emcee | Silent & Live Auction 2 Sunday, January 13, 2019 www.thepostnewspaper.net THE POST CHECK IT OUT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY NEWS By: Bridget Buffa less computers, laptops, printers, scanners and copi- org. Library hours are Monday-Wednesday 9:00 a.m. er. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday & Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The City of Texas City is fortunate to have one of the During the FY 2018 the Library received 113,00 and Saturday 10:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m. finest Libraries in our area. Moore Memorial Public physical visits with over 150,00 materials checked- Libraries are essential to giving citizens access to Library serves our city as well as all of Galveston out. Reference questions were about 15,000. The knowledge. More importantly, however libraries are County. Library offers many programs for all ages. In 2018 the places where you can expect smart and clear an- The Library was established in 1928. The current the number of programs offered were 265 with an at- swers to even the most difficult questions. Remem- building was erected in 1964 and expanded to 21,000 tendance of 3,985. ber, Google can bring you back 100,000 answers, but square feet in 1987. It is accredited as a Texas Public We have some exciting renovations to look for- a Librarian can bring you back the right one. Library by the TSLAC and is a member of the Galves- ward to in the upcoming future.