Back

Director's Picks

More Texans Are Investing in Microgrids to Avoid Winter Power Outages

Summary

Texans are increasingly adopting microgrids as a solution to frequent winter power outages, driven by extreme weather events and grid reliability concerns. Unlike generators, microgrids operate continuously, integrating power sources like diesel, natural gas, and renewables such as solar. Businesses and institutions, including hospitals and universities, are leading this shift, with microgrid installations in Texas growing from 20 in 2016 to 300 by 2023. The trend accelerated after events like Hurricane Harvey. Businesses benefit not only from improved reliability but also by selling surplus power back to the grid. Despite higher generation costs, microgrids offer resilience, independence, and financial incentives, making them a valuable tool for energy security.

discover more

May 30, 2025
Environment & Climate Legislation
Environment & Climate Legislation

The Supreme Court unanimously restricted federal environmental reviews under NEPA to direct project impacts, easing infrastructure approvals...

May 29, 2025
Energy
Energy

Over $14 billion in U.S. clean energy projects have been canceled in 2025 due to President Trump’s rollback of climate policies, stalling industry momentum...

May 23, 2025
Climate
Climate

Zillow's analysis reveals minority homeowners, especially Black and Hispanic, face significantly higher climate risks—such as extreme heat...

May 19, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore $176 million in environmental grants cut from nonprofits and municipalities, ruling the executive branch...

May 19, 2025
Environmental
Environmental

Texas lawmakers are advancing a bill to shield oil companies from liability when treated fracking water is reused, aiming to boost water supplies amid drought

May 19, 2025
Climate
Climate

Africa has launched a continent-wide space agency to coordinate national efforts, improve climate data collection, and enhance resilience to extreme weather...

May 15, 2025
Environmental
Environmental

An internal FEMA review reveals critical readiness gaps just weeks before hurricane season, while a Rice University study shows only 8% of Houstonians feel prepared...

May 8, 2025
Climate
Climate

A Nature Cities study found Houston is the fastest-sinking U.S. city, with 42% of its land subsiding over 5mm annually due to groundwater and oil extraction, increasing flood risk

May 5, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

Residents of East Houston, like Angela Jackson, are fed up with the overwhelming stench and illegal dumping near the McCarty Road Landfill...

May 1, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

The Trump administration’s EPA is terminating over $2.4 billion in environmental justice grants, mostly aiding poor and minority communities...

April 28, 2025
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism

Juan and Ana Parras founded T.E.J.A.S. to combat environmental racism in Houston’s industrial corridors, leveraging decades of grassroots organizing to empower...

April 17, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

A Tulane study confirms long-standing claims that Black communities in Louisiana's "Cancer Alley" suffer disproportionate pollution while being excluded from both high...

April 11, 2025
Climate
Climate

A $378 million funding delay to LIHEAP after mass HHS layoffs threatens vital cooling aid for low-income Americans amid intensifying heat waves.

April 9, 2025
Environment & Climate Legislation
Environment & Climate Legislation

A federal appeals court ruled a lawsuit can proceed against St. James Parish, Louisiana, for alleged racist land-use policies...

April 9, 2025
Climate
Climate

Trump administration terminated NASA's contract supporting staff for the U.S. National Climate Assessment, potentially crippling its development...