By Ramona Schindelheim for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for Texas News Service reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Service Collaboration. As home to more than 4,700 companies engaged in energy production, transmission, exploration, supply, and technology, Houston has long claimed the title of "The Energy Capital of the World." Oil and gas have been at the economic heart of the city and surrounding region since the massive Spindletop oil find in 1901 ushered in rapid expansion of the industry and led to Texas dominance in the energy field in the 1940s. But, with the ever-growing focus on renewable energy, the Houston region wants to be known by another moniker: "The Energy Transition Capital of the World." "This is the industry that is going to have to lead the transition to a low-carbon world," says Peter Beard, SVP regional workforce development at the Greater Houston Partnership. .
States such as Minnesota have made progress in renewable-energy output, but a lack of grid capacity has created a logjam, preventing some projects from moving forward. A decision issued Monday bodes well for such efforts in the Midwest. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator, approved a $10 billion investment for 18 long-term transmission projects for its Midwest Subregion. .
The U.S. Postal Service is buying nearly 85,000 new vehicles, and estimates about 40% of them will be electric vehicles. That includes 50,000 new delivery trucks, about half of which will be electric. .