Categories
Overseas

Texas Railroad Commission

The Texas Railroad Commission regulates things – just not railroads (railways in proper parlence). From their website:

The Railroad Commission of Texas (Commission) is the state agency with primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline industry, natural gas utilities, the LP-gas industry, and coal and uranium surface mining operations. The Commission exists under provisions of the Texas Constitution and exercises its statutory responsibilities under state and federal laws for regulation and enforcement of the state’s energy industries. The Commission also has regulatory and enforcement responsibilities under federal law including the Surface Coal Mining Control and Reclamation Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Pipeline Safety Acts, Resource Conservation Recovery Act, and Clean Water Act.

https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/

What has them in the news is the interesting campaign launched by a prospective candidate, Sarah Stogner, for the forthcoming election for the post of commissioner.

Using the tagline “I have other assets”, this 37 y.o. lady stripped down to her underwear and donned cowboy boots and hat and had a photoshoot conducted with her atop an oil well.

Categories
General

There is tactless and there is tactless

Many accuse me of being tactless (I prefer the term “honest”). However, compared to these guys, I am a diplomat.

Categories
IH News 2022

Allihies Mine ledgers restored

The Irish Examiner (soft paywall) reports on the restoration of a number of historic cost books and ledgers from the mines in Allihies in Co. Cork.

The original records were donated to the museum c.20 years ago and have now been restored thanks to a grant from the Heritage Council.

Categories
IH News 2022

Blade bridge installed in Cork?

Google gave me a link to this website, which reports that a footbridge made of repurposed wind turbine blades has been installed in Cork, apparently the second such example globally.

Unfortunately, the article doesn’t say where in Cork! However, I found this article, which states that it is now in situ as part of the Greenway under construction between Midelton and Youghal.

Categories
IH News 2022

Cork Sewer Vents

Have you spotted any sewer vents in Cork City?

Cork City Council have a database of sewer vents but are uncertain if they have all such vents located and are calling for public help in identifying any missing ones.

If you spot a sewer vent in the Cork City area, Simon Lyons of the City Council is asking that you take a photo and tweet this to him @ThePoliteEng along with details of where the vent is.

Categories
IH News 2022

Killucan Station

RTE are reporting on the campaign to re-open Killucan Station in Co. Westmeath on the Dublin – Sligo line. I think the supporters of this are on a hiding to nothing. I don’t see the population base necessary to have such a station and playing on a GAA special in 1950 being packed is not reflective of today’s society.

IMHO, if a station were to be built between the former Hill of Down and Killucan Stations, especially if an SDZ for housing was adjacent, this might work as there could also be traffic from Kinnegad, but I can’t see the economics of it otherwise.

As a separate project, IR should consider a dynamic loop between such a new station and Killucan, thereby extending the range of track over which trains can pass on the otherwise single track line between Enfield and Mullingar.

Categories
Overseas

When you are rich…..

you can buy anyone.

The BBC reports that a bridge in Rotterdam will be “temporarily” dismantled to allow a yacht built for Jeff Bezos’ to pass through.

Funny how they didn’t consider the height of the yacht before building it.