Articles from
Dallas Fed Economics providing critical insights on trade, immigration, and other major international issues, along with in-depth analysis of monetary policy challenges affecting the U.S. economy and its deep financial and economic ties with Mexico.
Dallas Fed Economics
Utility-scale solar shines in Texas despite tariffs, federal policy changes
Texas is now the top state for utility-scale solar power generation capacity. However, developers of new solar projects face a changing operating environment, one lacking strong federal policy support but also featuring cost-boosting tariffs on imported solar module components.
February 03, 2026
Dallas Fed Economics
Batteries, solar help keep the lights on in Texas but more needed
Many Texas residents remain skeptical about the reliability of the electric grid since massive dayslong outages in February 2021. Notably, the power supply situation has since improved, with capacity added over the past two years, primarily from solar and a tripling of battery storage capacity.
November 04, 2025
Dallas Fed Economics
Rush for U.S. lithium production encounters tough economics
Commercial interests are striving to bring new lithium projects online in the U.S. at a time of growing desire to reduce reliance on China-dominated supply chains and with expectations that global demand could double over the next five years.
October 14, 2025
Dallas Fed Economics
Renewable energy jobs surge, though data differ on where and by how much
Better understanding of the workforce implications of rising electricity demand, particularly at the state and local levels, is critical to planning and anticipating its economic and policy impacts.
August 26, 2025
Dallas Fed Economics
Middle East geopolitical risk modestly affects inflation and inflation expectations
In Depth: While hostilities between Iran and Israel ended quickly in June 2025 without a major oil supply disruption, it is worthwhile to explore the impact on inflation and inflation expectations if this geopolitical event had turned out differently.
August 21, 2025
Dallas Fed Economics
Geopolitical oil price risk not a major driver of global macroeconomic fluctuations
Notwithstanding the attention geopolitical events in oil markets have attracted, we find that geopolitical oil price risk is unlikely to generate sizable recessionary effects.
February 18, 2025
Dallas Fed Economics
Solar, battery capacity saved the Texas grid last summer; an uncertain future awaits
As ERCOT forecasts accelerated load growth due to anticipated data center construction and electrification trends, the current generation mix and market design should garner increased scrutiny.
January 14, 2025
Dallas Fed Economics
How global oil sanctions lowered Russian oil export prices
The decline in Russian oil export revenue since January 2022 was achieved by reducing the Russian export price rather than the volume of Russian oil exports.
May 14, 2024
Dallas Fed Economics
Record-breaking Texas summer heat tests the grid, ERCOT operations
Texas just witnessed its second-hottest summer ever and its highest electricity demand without experiencing interruption to electricity delivery.
October 17, 2023
Dallas Fed Economics
Russian ruble buckles under trade sanctions, declining export earnings
Russia’s currency is losing value, falling 40 percent against the U.S. dollar since December 2022. With measures targeting Russian exports likely to persist, the country’s balance of payments will remain under pressure, leading to continuing currency weakness.
October 10, 2023