Houston Public MediaApr 21, 2025

President Donald Trump’s 10% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican crude oil imports are having little effect on Houston-area refineries so far. But Ed Hirs, a UH energy fellow, says a recession is around the corner for the local economy.

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/economy/2025/04/21/519299/houston-will-be-in-recession-by-summer-thanks-to-tariffs-falling-crude-oil-prices-uh-economist-forecasts/

#Business #Economy #EnergyEnvironment #Houston #International #Local #News #Canada #EdHirs #HoustonRefineries #PresidentTrump #Recession #TrumpTariffs

Houston will be in recession by summer because of tariffs, falling crude oil prices, UH economist forecasts

University of Houston Energy Fellow Ed Hirs says the combined effect of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imported crude oil and falling crude oil prices globally are balancing out for now. But, Hirs adds, investment is already grinding to a halt and companies are planning for layoffs in the near future.

Houston Public Media
Houston Public MediaMar 25, 2025

CenterPoint Energy is partnering with two technology companies to use artificial intelligence to help identify problems in its Houston-area power distribution system and prioritize repairs. A local energy expert expressed skepticism.

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/technology/2025/03/25/516887/centerpoint-energy-employing-ai-to-help-maintain-houston-area-infrastructure/

#Business #EnergyEnvironment #Houston #Infrastructure #Local #News #Technology #ArtificialIntelligence #CenterPointCustomers #CenterPointEnergy #EdHirs #HoustonPowerOutages #HoustonStormPreparedness

CenterPoint Energy employing AI to help maintain Houston-area infrastructure

The utility company has faced fierce criticism for its storm preparedness and handling last year of a May windstorm and July hurricane, the latter of which resulted in prolonged power outages for more than 2.2 million customers in the region.

Houston Public Media
Houston Public MediaJan 17, 2025

There's a chance of rolling blackouts next week because of incoming freezing temperatures in the Houston region and statewide, according to a local energy expert.

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/energy-environment/2025/01/17/511262/as-houston-prepares-for-freezing-temperatures-one-energy-expert-says-theres-a-chance-of-rolling-blackouts/

#EnergyEnvironment #ERCOT #Houston #HoustonMatters #Infrastructure #Local #News #Texas #EdHirs #ElectricReliabilityCouncilOfTexas #Ercot #FreezingTemperaturesInHouston #HoustonPowerOutages #WinterStormUri2021

As Houston braces for freezing temperatures, energy expert says to prepare in case of outages

The Houston region is expecting to see temperatures dip below freezing on Sunday. And as of Friday, the forecast from the National Weather Service called for snow on Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Houston Public Media
Houston Public MediaJan 7, 2025

The Houston City Council is expected to deny CenterPoint Energy’s latest request for a rate increase during a meeting on Wednesday.

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/city-of-houston/2025/01/07/510059/houston-city-council-expected-to-deny-centerpoint-request-to-increase-rate-for-now/

#Business #CityOfHouston #EnergyEnvironment #Houston #Infrastructure #Local #News #CenterPointEnergy #EdHirs #ElectricityCosts #HoustonCityCouncil #PublicUtilityCommissionOfTexas #RateIncreases

Houston City Council expected to deny CenterPoint request to increase rate — for now

The electricity supplier for much of the Houston region wants to make additional investments to “reliably deliver power.” This type of denial by Houston City Council is “not uncommon,” according to the city’s administration and regulatory affairs department.

Houston Public Media