As global tensions ease and crude remains below $70 a barrel, Ed Hirs explains why production is slowing, and why gas prices may stay low through the summer

Texas has approved $1.8 billion for a new microgrid program to boost backup power at critical sites such as hospitals, water systems, and emergency services. The Texas Backup Power Package Program will deploy on-site systems combining solar, batteries, and gas generation, offering a faster, more flexible alternative to large-scale plants. As traditional grid projects face delays, this marks a strategic shift toward distributed resilience amid rising demand and increasingly frequent extreme weather.

At the close of UH Energy’s Energy Transition Winds of Change symposium—co-hosted by the Center for Carbon Management in Energy (CCME)—U.S. Congressman Robert Latta delivered a keynote urging bold action on America’s energy future. Emphasizing the need for scalable energy infrastructure, domestic nuclear fuel sourcing, and streamlined regulation, Latta called for an “all-of-the-above” approach to secure, affordable, and sustainable power. His message: the U.S. must act quickly, think strategically, and listen to innovators driving the transition forward.