Texas Now Leads the Nation in Wind Power Production

Environment Texas has published a new report that shows that Texas is "Reaping the Rewards" from the adoption of a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). Texas joined 24 other states and the District of Columbia in adopting the RES, which requires states to increase the percentage of electricity produced from renewable resources. The report, Reaping the Rewards: How State Renewable Electricity Standards Are Cutting Pollution, Saving Money, Creating Jobs and Fueling a Clean Energy Boom, shows that the United States is now producing twice as much electricity from wind and solar power as it did four years ago.

The Director of Environment Texas, Luke Metzger, in a press release commends the upward trend. "Texans are already reaping the rewards for Texas' leadership in clean energy. Thanks to the renewable electricity standard, clean energy is booming in Texas." In the last two years, Texas has installed more than 3000 megawatts (MW) in wind turbines. Texas also has the world's two largest wind farms with a combined electric capacity of 1240 MW.

The benefits of the RES policies are more far-reaching than just Texas. The US Department of Energy estimates that RES policies have contributed to over half of all wind energy added to the US grid between the years 2001 and 2006, with that percentage increasing to 60% in 2006. In 2007, close to 70% of planned renewable generation will be built in RES states.

The report adds that the environment is benefiting from the increased renewable electricity policies. Renewable energy generators are reducing the amount of water needed to process fossil fuels, and reducing the amount of pollutants being released from coal-fired electric generators. The report also shows that the renewable energy sources that have been built after the RES adoptions have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 8.4 million metric tons, or the equivalent of the emissions from 1.5 million cars.

Local economies and consumers are also reaping the rewards. Rural landowners that lease acreage to renewable energy concerns are receiving 9.5 million dollars in Texas alone. Tax bases are also being raised by the renewable energy sector. Colorado has seen one town's tax base go up by 29% as a result of a wind farm in the area. Renewable energy increases demand for workers and engineers in rural areas, which will in turn bolster housing prices in an area. Also, the increased need for raw materials and construction services also benefit local economies. RES policies make it more attractive for companies to build in the RES states, bringing in the businesses or allowing existing concerns to expand.

With the increasing prices of non-renewable energy sources, the costs of renewable sources such as wind and solar are looking more and more appealing and the costs are in turn going down in comparison, especially when the future costs of environmental degradation are factored into the fossil fuel costs. A 2005 study written by researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a 2007 study from energy research firm Wood MacKenzie have shown that consumers will save on electric costs in the long run, as the increased use of renewable energy will drive down the cost of natural gas due to decreased demand. So the benefits of renewable energy will be seen even in the non-renewable market for those consumers living in non-RES states.

Environment Texas is calling on Congress to recognize the benefits of the RES policies and to adopt a federal RES policy requiring 25% of US energy to come from renewable sources. The group is also encouraging non-RES states to considering adopting similar policies to improve their own economies and to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil as well as reducing the need for coal.

Mr. Metzger gives state officials "tremendous credit for recognizing the benefits of jumpstarting renewable energy and taking action." He continues, "The House has taken an important step in the right direction by passing the RES, and the Senate should join them. In addition to strong fuel economy improvements and energy efficiency provisions, no energy bill will be complete without a national renewable electricity standard."

Source: Environment Texas