Bob Sechler
Austin American-Statesman
Austin, TX, United States
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Recent articles by Bob:
ERCOT urges Texans to cut back on power usage over weekend
Six power plants across the state tripped offline Friday afternoon amid anticipated high demand for electricity because of unseasonably hot weather. → Read More
Elon Musk's influence? Travis County tops Texas in electric vehicle ownership
Overall figures are still small locally and statewide, but consumer demand is expected to climb. → Read More
We're tracking power outages in Austin and Central Texas, plus ERCOT grid updates
The Austin area is under a winter storm warning. See the latest updates regarding power outages and the condition of ERCOT's power grid. → Read More
Texas Teacher Retirement System pays $116.6 million for first stage of new Austin headquarters
The recent purchase is part of the agency's plan to spend up to $300 million on a new headquarters complex outside of downtown Austin. → Read More
Amid hiring boom, Austin jobless rate dips to pandemic low of 3.2%
About 1.19 million people were employed in the Austin metro area last month, a new record. → Read More
Plan for 20,000-seat amphitheater project near Bee Cave ignites opposition
The project, which could cost $600 million to $750 million, is facing questions about the potential impact on the environment and nearby neighbors. → Read More
How did tiny Taylor win Samsung's $17 billion chip plant? Incentives helped
Samsung's chip plant is being described as the largest direct foreign investment in Texas history. → Read More
Report: Samsung picks Taylor as site for $17 billion chip plant
If confirmed, it would be the latest in a stunning run of economic development wins for the Austin area, and for its technology sector in particular. → Read More
Formula One race weekend brings in welcome dollars for Austin businesses
An estimated 140,000 people, many of whom reside outside Texas, attended the F1 this year, a COTA record and well above the estimated 105,000 in 2019. → Read More
Texas gender wage gap shrinks — but it's likely a coronavirus-caused anomaly
What the numbers likely show is that women are more likely to hold the lower-paying jobs hit hardest by COVID, experts say. → Read More
Texas teacher retirement system to spend up to $300M on new HQ after scrapping Indeed Tower plans
The agency's board has OK'd plans to purchase a two-building complex in Austin's Mueller development. → Read More
What will happen to Big 12 cities when Texas, OU leave? They could lose millions, analysis finds
Study estimates the combined hit to Waco, Lubbock and Fort Worth at up to $570 million annually, although Austin seen benefiting. → Read More
Texas manufacturing, service sectors expand in July as COVID-19 worries return
Activity in the Texas manufacturing and service sectors increased solidly in July, although fears are arising about the impact of the COVID-19 surge. → Read More
Texas power grid 'stable,' but ERCOT reiterates call for conservation
ERCOT described the power grid as stable Thursday, despite reiterating a call from earlier in the week for Texans to cut back on electricity usage. → Read More
Austin economic activity recovering quickly as pandemic fades
New data from the Dallas Fed shows strong hiring by local companies and soaring consumer demand for goods and services indicating a robust recovery. → Read More
Summer heat and ERCOT's latest struggles renew fears of power grid failure
The operator of the state's power grid has asked Texans to cut back on electricity through Friday, and summer hasn't even started yet. → Read More
Power grids urge Lubbockites, Texans to conserve electricity 'as much as possible'
ERCOT and SPP is asking Texans to reduce electric use through Friday due to an unusually large number of power plants out of service for repairs. → Read More
Texas bid to impose special state tax on electric vehicles fails — for now
Some lawmakers said the special fees were needed to make up for the dearth in gas taxes paid by drivers of electric vehicles. → Read More
Corporate tax break program at risk after failing to clear Texas Senate
The state's so-called Chapter 313 tax incentive program to lure corporate investment has suffered a major blow in the state Legislature and may die. → Read More
Austin tax breaks sought by Samsung among biggest ever
If it's approved as requested, Austin's Samsung deal would be among the 20 biggest in U.S. history, according to a group that tracks incentive deals. → Read More