Powering Texas - Supporting Wind Energy in Texas

Texas Wind

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Texas Wind

Powering the rapid expansion of Texas for two decades.

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Texas Wind

Powering Texas homes, businesses and communities with affordable electricity.

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Texas Wind

Powering the future of electricity demand for Texas.

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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 clean, renewable energy resources.

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. Renewable energy is helping Texas meet this growing demand for energy, while also providing jobs, bolstering rural economies and supporting communities all across the state.

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Texas Wind

Leading the nation

Texas is the #1 wind energy generator in the country, producing ¼ of the national total and over 17.5 percent of all in-state electricity generation.

If Texas were a country, it would rank #5 in the world in total wind energy generation.

The success of wind in Texas is the result of strong leadership at every level, by creating a competitive market, investing in the power grid, and diversifying our electricity supply for the future, while taking advantage of one of the state’s most abundant resources

More than Electricity

Renewable energy technologies like wind, solar, and storage do more than ensure communities can count on reliable power when they need it; renewable energy is an economic boon to Texas, creating jobs, business opportunity, and revenue streams that strengthen communities and provide economic opportunity for families.

From the Panhandle to the Valley, rural communities in Texas are a beacon of growth and industry diversification when it comes to harnessing the abundant natural resources.

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The Economic Impact of Texas Wind Energy:

Growing Production & Creating Jobs

GROWING PRODUCTION AND CREATING JOBS

Wind is big business across the country, and nowhere is wind bigger than in Texas. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are more than 120,000 jobs in wind energy across the country and nearly 26,000 of these well-paying jobs are in Texas.

26,000

Texas jobs

A Texas-Sized Revenue Generator

A TEXAS-SIZED REVENUE GENERATOR

With $53.1 billion invested through 2019 across Texas, tens of thousands of jobs created, and by far the most installed capacity in the country, the direct financial impact of the Texas wind energy industry is impossible to overlook. The steady growth of wind in Texas has meant substantial state and local tax contributions, often directed toward community development in the form of schools, libraries, hospitals, roads and other local projects.

Supporting Local Community’s:

Schools

Libraries

Hospitals

Roads

Strengthening Rural Communities

STRENGTHENING RURAL COMMUNITIES

The wind industry provides an estimated $192 million in annual rural landowner payments as well as an estimated $285 million in state and local taxes and other payments. Small Texas towns, rural communities, farmers, ranchers, school districts and students realize tremendous financial benefits from the billions that have been invested in wind in the state of Texas. The rest of Texas enjoys affordable electricity that is sustainable for the future.

Currently installed renewable energy projects in Texas will generate more than $4.7 billion in new tax revenue to local communities over their lifetime.

$4.7B+

New Tax Revenue

Powering Texas Manufacturing

POWERING TEXAS MANUFACTURING

Wind energy manufacturing is thriving with 41 active wind-related manufacturing facilities in Texas, and data suggests it will continue to do so for years to come. Texas is at the heart of this manufacturing boom—meaning more jobs, investment, and tax revenue for the Lone Star State from our manufacturing plants to our ports.

Responding to Increasing Demand

RESPONDING TO INCREASING DEMAND

Texas is the fastest growing state in the nation. Demand for affordable, reliable electricity is on the rise, and our electric grid must have the capacity to respond. Texas has over 31,000 megawatts (MW) of installed wind capacity, and nearly 6,000 MW of additional wind projects are under construction or in advanced development. Texas is also becoming a major player in solar energy in the U.S. Economic development programs, like the Texas Economic Development Act, have helped spur this growth and given counties across the state the ability to attract these projects.

7,745,800

enough to power millions of TX homes

Powering the State’s Largest Employers

POWERING THE STATE’S LARGEST EMPLOYERS

Corporate customers have signed contracts for more projects in Texas than any other state, accounting for 39% of all contracted capacity. The volume of companies is also growing; of the 29 companies that announced wind deals in 2019, 18 were first-time buyers of wind energy. A diverse group of companies are purchasing wind energy, including Facebook, Amazon McDonald’s, Walmart, General Motors, and more.

Governor Abbott recognizes the competitive advantage of renewable energy when attracting new businesses to the state: “In Texas, we lead the nation in wind energy. By the end of next year, we will lead the nation in solar power. We have the capability of providing them [businesses] reliable, renewable energy to help them achieve their [carbon neutrality] goals.” – December 2020

Water Conservation

WATER CONSERVATION

The electricity generation industry uses more water than any other sector in the United States, including agriculture. Wind energy generation is different because water is not required, which is important in drought-prone regions like West Texas. In 2019, wind-generated energy in Texas prevented the use of roughly 24 billion gallons of water.

Water Saved by Wind Energy in 2019 alone:

billion gallons of water

Capping Emissions

CAPPING EMISSIONS

Wind energy technology is emission free. By generating power from wind, Texas avoided 49 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2019—equivalent to a year’s worth of emissions from 10.5 million cars. Emissions reduction is a critical element for the needs of future generations and preserving the Texas environment we have known for generations.

Other renewable energy technologies like solar and storage help reduce carbon emissions from electricity generation. Renewables significantly reduce air pollutants, having a positive impact on the health of Texans and reduce costs related to poor air quality.

49M

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).

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. But, development and demand are beginning to overtake bandwidth, and without expansion, potential industry investments that are powering rural communities across the state will stall.

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 renewable energy in Texas!

The Texas electric generation fleet is evolving. As a result of strong economic policy initiatives, like Chapter 313, we are transitioning to a cleaner, less expensive, “Made in Texas” energy future. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar, complement existing gas production 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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