Former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, now a Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute in Houston, was the featured speaker at the Highway 36A Coalition’s March 20 luncheon at the Rosenberg Civic Center, 3825 Texas 36 South in Rosenberg. Emmett’s topic was “The Fourth Era of Transportation,” which – following the eras of natural movement, steam power and petroleum – will be based on the development of new fuels such as ammonia, hydrogen, compressed natural gas, nuclear energy and more, as well as continued reliance on petroleum, he said. Tying his academic approach to the practicalities of the proposed Highway 36A project, Emmett said future growth in Waller and Fort Bend counties will be shaped by the availability of transportation options, especially for movement of freight. He listed factors such as the current expansion of Port Freeport and the possible need for a second rail line, the growth in warehouse and distribution centers in the area, and the need for large truck stop operations to carry alternative sources of fuel in addition to petroleum products, among others.