Support Wind Energy in Texas

on May 14, 2013 | 2 min read

This week, House Bill 3390, extending the Texas Economic Development Act, was reported out of a Senate committee and is soon to be debated on the Senate floor. Texas is a leader in wind energy in part because of Chapter 313. Wind is just one industry that has taken advantage of this program, geared toward allowing local governments to entice major investment to their districts.

We need your help to push us over the finish line. Please email your State Senator TODAY and urge them to:

Keep wind in Chapter 313 so that wind can keep growing in Texas.
Keep decision making in local communities so that local school districts and counties can negotiate with wind developers to get the best deal for taxpayers and developers.
Oppose amendments that will hurt wind energy development.

After emailing, please also make a call to your Senator using the number found here. Just fill out your information under the “Who Represents Me?” section.

Under the Chapter 313 program, companies can apply for a temporary reduction in their property taxes in exchange for a commitment to make a major capital investment. This helps lure projects to Texas that otherwise might have gone to Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, or other states. Many states offer incentives for wind development and some don't impose a property tax on wind projects.

Since 2000, Texas has attracted $24 billion in wind energy investments to 56 Texas counties – investments that are growing the economy and creating jobs. According to the Texas Governor’s Renewable Energy Industry Report, the wind industries employ nearly 26,000 people in Texas. Wind energy projects create new jobs including meteorologists, surveyors, structural engineers, assembly workers, electrical workers, construction workers, lawyers, bankers, and technicians.

Wind energy is good for Texas consumers, good for our environment, and good for our local economies. Thank you for your continued support and interest in our industry. With your help, we can keep wind growing.

For more on Chapter 313, see http://windcoalition.org/policy/tax-incentives/.

You can get started by filling out your zip code below.