FROM THE GOVERNOR

Abbott celebrates 75th National Day of Prayer at Governor’s Prayer Breakfast ROUND ROCK — Governor Greg Abbott celebrated the 75th annual National Day of Prayer at the annual Governor’s Prayer Breakfast.

“Wherever two or more gather in His name, God is with us,” said Governor Abbott. “God is with us today as we celebrate the National Day of Prayer here in Texas and across the United States of America. God hears us. God ensures that through his almighty hand and his almighty Grace, he’s saving us each and every day as we live. God bless you all, and God bless the great state of Texas.”

Speaking to a room of over 500 faith leaders and Texans, Governor Abbott emphasized the power of prayer and the graces that flow through the Holy Spirit. The Governor encouraged Texans to remain faithful in all circumstances and to know that God will guard them. Additionally, Governor Abbott called on the crowd to pray for the men and women in law enforcement who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the line of duty.

At the breakfast, Governor Abbott presented the Texas Day of Prayer proclamation, designating Friday, May 1, as Texas Day of Prayer. The proclamation encourages all Texans of faith to unite in prayer, acknowledge God’s glory, find strength in His promises, and express gratitude for the many blessings He has given us.

The Governor was joined by Senator Donna Campbell, Representative Brad Buckley, Representative Stan Gerdes, Representative Caroline Harris-Davila, Representative Hillary Hickland, and other fellow faith and local leaders.

Abbott celebrates opening of 460 MW Power Plant in Central Texas

FAIRFIELD — Governor Greg Abbott celebrated the opening of the Constellation Pin Oak peaking power plant, the first Texas Energy Fund-backed project to come online that will deliver more reliable, affordable power to the state’s grid.

“Texas is by far the largest electrical power generator in America,” said Governor Abbott. “Today, we expand on that leadership by opening a new peaking power plant that adds 460 megawatts of electricity to our grid. This project ensures that the power grid is going to have extra power during times of peak demand. We thank Constellation Energy for investing in our state and for powering our future.”

“When we joined Governor Abbott in December 2023 to announce this project, we made a commitment to help bring new, reliable power to the Texas grid, and today, we delivered on that commitment,” said President and CEO of Calpine and Senior Executive Vice President of Constellation Power Operations Andrew Novotny. “We’re proud to be part of strengthening grid reliability in Texas while helping meet the state’s growing energy needs.”

During his remarks, Governor Abbott noted that the Pin Oak power plant is the first Texas Energy Fund project to come online, adding 460 megawatts of dispatchable power that will serve thousands of homes during periods of peak demand. The Governor also highlighted the work done by the State of Texas to reinforce the grid, including adding more than 61,000 megawatts of new power over the past five years.

The Constellation Pin Oak peaking power plant is designed to quickly supply electricity when demand is at its highest, delivering reliable power for Texas homes and businesses when they need it most.

The Governor was joined by Representative Angelia Orr, City of Fairfield Mayor Bobby Nichols, Public Utility Commission of Texas Chairman Thomas Gleeson, Calpine President and CEO and Constellation Senior Executive Vice President Andrew Novotny, and Constellation Senior Executive Vice President & Chief External Affairs and Growth Officer David Dardis.

Abbott highlights $30 million philanthropic investment to expand career training programs at TSTC Grant to AOI WACO — Governor Greg Abbott participated in a fireside chat at Texas State Technical College (TSTC) highlighting a new $30 million philanthropic investment to expand career training programs across the state.

“Texas is doing more than just leading in job creation and attracting businesses,” said Governor Abbott. “We are also leading in educating our students. Texas led America in investing more than $8 billion to fund career and technical education. We have put our money where our needs are to make sure the State of Texas is doing everything it can to fully educate the workforce of tomorrow.”

During the discussion, the Governor emphasized the need to further invest in Texas’ highly skilled and growing workforce through career and technical education. The Governor also touted that career and technical education programs like those at TSTC equip students with hands-on skills to move quickly from the classroom into high-demand careers like construction, energy, and advanced manufacturing. Additionally, the Governor highlighted how the Texas Jobs Council and new legislation in the upcoming session will further boost these programs and keep the Texas workforce the best in the nation.

Over the past two years, Texas has invested more than $7 billion in career training programs. Last year, Governor Abbott signed House Bill 20 and House Bill 120 into law to expand career and technical education opportunities, strengthen partnerships with higher education institutions, and improve college and career advising for students across Texas.

The Governor was joined by TSTC Chancellor and CEO Michael Reeser, Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza, Senator Tan Parker, Representative Keith Bell, Representative David Cook, Representative Pat Curry, Representative Hilary Hickland, Representative Angelia Orr, and BlackRock Chairman and CEO Larry Fink to highlight the BlackRock Future Builders initiative that seeks to strengthen skilled trades pipelines across the United States. Grants invested in Texas through the initiative over the next three years will be used to help train more than 12,000 Texans for electrical careers, strengthening the workforce needed to support Texas’ rapid growth.