Reliant Energy buys RECs for Earth Day ..

FYI for Reliant customers in Laredo, Webb County, Zapata County and surrounding areas ...

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In recognition of Earth Day on Thursday, Reliant Energy is buying Texas renewable energy credits (RECs) to meet the estimated electricity needs of all of its residential and small business customers across the state for that day.
"There are simple things that each of us can do to protect the environment and our natural resources," said Jason Few, President, Reliant Energy. "Choosing wind power - clean, emission-free energy - and taking steps to use less energy are two ways we can all make a difference on Earth Day and every day."
Renewable energy credits are created when electricity is produced using resources such as wind, solar, biomass or hydro power. By purchasing additional credits, Reliant ensures than an amount equal to the electricity consumed by its customers is generated from renewable sources, in this case wind. The RECs purchased for Reliant customers for Earth Day come from NRG Energy’s 150-megawatt Langford Wind Power Project located near Abilene. Reliant is part of NRG Energy.
As an added incentive for customers who want to do more for the environment, Reliant Energy will make a $25 donation to EarthShare of Texas for each customer who signs up for a new 100 percent wind plan from Reliant Energy between April 18 and April 24. The incentive is available to new customers who choose a 100 percent wind plan as well as existing customers - including those on month-to-month plans - who switch to 100 percent wind.
EarthShare of Texas is a nonprofit organization that supports more than 70 environmental and conservation groups including the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Clean Water Fund of Texas, the Galveston Bay Foundation and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Reliant Energy offers the choice of 100 percent, Texas-generated wind plans and all of Reliant’s new term plans include 20 percent Texas wind. The company also provides customers with tools and information to help them manage their energy use, including detailed tips for saving energy, and for those with smart meters a weekly summary e-mail and time-of-use pricing.
Customers can sign-up for Reliant’s 100 percent wind plan by calling 1-866-RELIANT or by visiting www.reliant.com.

Time Warner Cable offers E-Commerce site in Spanish ...

Received this from Time Warner Cable on Monday morning. Thought I'd pass it along to you if you're a Time Warner subscriber. Have a great day -- Joe

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NEW YORK, April 13, 2010 -- Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC), the second-largest cable operator in the U.S., on Monday announced the redesign of their Spanish-language website, TimeWarnerCable.com/Espanol, and the launch of new e-commerce features. To promote the launch of the new website, Time Warner Cable has partnered with Olympusat’s Latele Novela Network, the first channel dedicated to delivering the best telenovelas from across Latin America, to carry out an online promotion that will give away Mother’s Day makeovers to three lucky viewers.

The new site offers Hispanic customers easy access to information on products, services, clips and highlights of the most relevant Spanish language shows on top U.S. Hispanic networks, as well as international channels. In addition, customers in search of tips on how to use Time Warner Cable services can watch educational vignettes featuring top Latino personalities, such as Giselle Blondet, host of Univision’s Nuestra Belleza Latina, and Catherine Siachoque, Telemundo’s telenovela actress. These descriptive Spanish videos allow customers to preview key product benefits to make informed decisions on the most relevant Time Warner Cable Hispanic offers such as El Paquetazo bundles and International OnePrice calling plan.

The enhanced site also includes an exclusive new section called “Mi Cultura” (My Culture) with in-depth articles on the latest Spanish-language programming, including everything from music to sports, Latino celebrities, novelas, movies, fashion and more.

Delivering on customers’ desire to manage their accounts in Spanish at their leisure, Time Warner Cable also incorporated user-friendly options such as PayXpress en Español, available in its California, Texas and New York City regions. Click-to-chat in Spanish will also launch in these areas within the next month and across the company’s footprint by the end of May.

More rainy road updates via TxDOT ...

Here are some rainy road condition updates from the Laredo District office of the Texas Department of Transportation. Be careful out there when traveling ...

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DIMMIT COUNTY
● FM 1557 from US 83 to end of road - water over road
● FM 1407 from SH 85 to US 83 - water over road

DUVAL COUNTY
● FM 2295 from SH 359 to SH 16 - Traffic routed to SH 359 - water over road
● U.S. 59 through Freer closed to tractor-trailer traffic due to road damage. Tractor trailers use IH 35 to IH 10 to Houston and vice versa until repairs complete, 2-3 days weather permitting. Only passenger vehicles allowed passage through Freer on U.S. 59

KINNEY COUNTY
● RM 334 10 miles from Brackettville to Kinney/Uvalde County line - high water at Live Oak crossing
● NEW CLOSURE - RM 2523 from RM 3008-RM 2523 intersection to Kinney/Edwards County line

VAL VERDE COUNTY
● SH 163 closed from highway markers No. 580 to No. 592 - high water at low water crossings
● RM 1024 from RM No. 446 to 482 - Road damage and high water over road.
For TxDOT Statewide Travel Advisory (Highway Conditions Report), dial 1-800-452-9292.

Rainy roads around our areas ...

Just picked up this information from the Laredo District of the Texas Department of Transportation, so wanted to pass it along to faithful readers here at Coffee Talk Live. Be careful out on the roads, OK.

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WHAT: Rainy Weather Road Closures

WHEN: Effective April 15, 2010, 12 noon

WHERE: TxDOT Laredo District:

● SH 163 closed in Val Verde County from highway markers No. 580 to No. 592 due to high water in low water crossings.
● FM 1557 in Dimmit County closed from US 83 to end of road due to water over road.
● FM 1407 in Dimmit County closed from SH 85 to US 83 due to water over road.
● Roads will remain closed until further notice.

For TxDOT Statewide Travel Advisory (Highway Conditions Report), dial 1-800-452-9292. The TxDOT Laredo District, serving Dimmit, Duval, Kinney, La Salle, Maverick, Val Verde, Webb & Zavala counties and the communities therein.

Best Western San Isidro honored ...

Best Western San Isidro Inn celebrates the national hotel chains' official "Thank You Week" on Wednesday with a special Customer Appreciation Mixer.
It is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. at the Best Western San Isidro Inn, located at 1410 Hospitality Drive next to Doctors Hospital in north Laredo.
"We are delighted and honored to be able to thank our customers and friends for their continued loyalty; our staff strives to offer the up-most, best customer service to all guests and provide answers and solutions to all of their needs," said hotel general manager Celina Solis.

What's on your mind?

Hey Laredo business leaders, here's an opportunity for you to offer ideas and/or comments about where Laredo and Webb County sit from an economic standpoint.
I'd encourage you to leave a comment here and let's begin a conversation.
-- Joe Rutland

Bridge revenues increase ...

City of Laredo bridge revenues popped up by 10.6 percent in March, according to figures released earlier this week.
A total of $3,751,600 in revenue was recorded, compared to a budgeted $3,391,101 total for March.
Year over year, it also showed a 10.6 percent increase, too.
Both figures are up from February's 4.8 percent mark.
This is good news for Laredo's economy.