Irving Company Pivots to Green Energy

Vistra, an energy powerhouse based in Irving, announced plans to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.

A key part of that plan is a capital investment of $1.15 billion by 2022 on solar and storage projects in California and Texas. The company also plans to close coal-fire energy plants in Illinois and Ohio by 2027.

“Vistra’s commitment to our transformation to a low-to-no-carbon future is unequivocal and offers unique opportunities for growth and innovation,” President and CEO Curt Morgan said in a press release.

Vistra solar projects opening within the next two years in Texas are in Andrews, Brightside, Emerald Grove, Forest Grove and Oak Hill. A solar project and energy storage project is planned at Upton 2 near Emerald Grove. Energy storage is planned in DeCordova southwest of Dallas-Fort Worth.

Vistra is a Fortune 275 retail electricity and power generation company. Its holdings include TXU Energy, Homefield Energy, Dynegy, Ambit Energy and Luminant.

Top educators make the grade

Texas’ two top teachers work in opposite ends of the Lone Star state.

The Texas Association of School Administrators honored Eric Hale, a kindergarten and firstgrade teacher from the Dallas Independent School District, as the 2021 Elementary Teacher of the Year and Anthony Lopez-Waste, a history teacher from Canutillo ISD in El Paso, as the Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Hale was chosen to represent the state as Texas Teacher of the Year in the National Teacher of the Year competition. The announcement was made during the virtual convention of the school administrators and the Texas Association of School Boards.

“My students and parents have survived a category F-3 tornado and are presently living in a pandemic. It is essential that I make sure they know I am here for them and value their educational development,” said Hale, who teaches at David G. Burnet Elementary School.

Superintendent of the Year honors went to J.A. Gonzalez of McAllen ISD. Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD won best school board.