About the Alliance
Powering Texas is an alliance of stakeholders bound by a mission to educate and advocate for innovative, sustainable electricity generation in Texas, including the expansion of renewable wind energy.
Texas has become the national leader for economic expansion, innovation, investment, employment opportunities, sensible regulation and excellent quality of life. People across the country are moving to Texas by the hundreds of thousands each year. As Texas grows, so does our enormous demand for electricity.
Texas is the #1 energy consumer in the country. Our economy and continued growth are dependent on reliable power, and how we meet this massive demand has tremendous implications. Affordability, reliability and sustainability for the future are all critical factors for Texas industries and consumers alike.
Support Wind
Energy in Texas
Texas Wind
Leading the nation
Texas is the #1 wind energy generator in the country, producing ¼ of the national total and nearly 15 percent of all in-state electricity generation.
If Texas were a country, it would rank #8 in the world in total wind energy generation.
The success of wind in Texas is the result of strong leadership focused on diversifying our electricity supply for the future, while taking advantage of one of the state’s most abundant resources.
More than Electricity
Wind does more than ensure communities can count on reliable power when they need it; wind energy is an economic boon to Texas, creating jobs, business opportunity, and revenue streams that strengthen communities and provide economic opportunity for families.
The Economic Impact of Texas Wind Energy:
thousand Texas jobs
Supporting Local Community’s:
Schools
Libraries
Hospitals
Roads
billion invested
million homes powered by wind energy by 2030
Water Saved by Wind Energy in 2016:
billion gallons of water
gallons per person
billion bottles of water
metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions prevented
Texas Wind Energy Policy
The road to wind power’s success in Texas began in 1999 under the leadership of then Governor George W. Bush and continued with support from Texas leaders over the past two decades.
Most of Texas’ wind resources are concentrated in West Texas, while the majority of the population and power demand lies in the eastern portion of the state. To address this challenge, then Governor Perry signed legislation directing the development of over 2,300 miles of high-voltage new transmission lines that would allow for the efficient movement of energy from West Texas to the high demand centers further east and south.
In 2005, the state legislature amended the mandate to require that 5,880 megawatts, or less than 5% of electric consumption, come from renewable sources by 2015. Lawmakers also set a goal of 10,000 megawatts of renewable capacity by 2025. Texas surpassed the 2015 goal in 2005 and the 2025 goal in 2009, almost entirely with wind power.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) collaborated with ERCOT, Texas’ self-contained electric grid, to establish the Competitive Renewable Energy Zone (CREZ) transmission project in West Texas. Completed in 2013, the $6.9 billion CREZ transmission project transmits more than 18.5 MW of wind and gas generated electricity across Texas. These transmission lines enable Texas to provide three times as much wind power as any other state.
WIND ENERGY POLICY RESULTS:
Powering Texas will advocate for the continuation and expansion of these policies that have supported the industry and allowed for immense growth.
“The state’s investment in adequate transmission capacity was vital as it provided access to wind generation in remote areas of Texas for customers hundreds of miles away in high-density population areas across the state,” Abbott said. “In addition, the unique presence of one electric grid for most of the state—the Electric Reliability Council of Texas region—creates an advantage over other states.”
– Governor Greg Abbott
Take Action: Support Wind in Texas
Help us build a coalition of support for wind in Texas!
The Texas electric generation fleet is evolving. As a result of strong economic policy initiatives, the state is now transitioning to a cleaner, less expensive, “Made in Texas” energy future by leveraging highly complementary energy sources including renewable energy, like wind and natural gas, to provide a reliable, balanced energy portfolio. Together, these energy sources combine to lower electricity prices, reduce emissions for the future and create a more reliable grid operating system – all using in-state natural resources.
Powering Texas is an advocate for a fleet that reliably and sustainably powers Texans’ homes, businesses and communities. Our mission is to support policies that encourage the growth of innovative generation solutions across the state.
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Resources
Reliability
Siting
Transmission & CREZ
Decomissioning
Chapter 312
Chapter 313
Wind Pricing
Legislative Guide