Wind coalition to regulators: Be proud of Texas wind

The Wind Coalition has a message for state regulators meeting today to discuss how Texas will meet the new EPA carbon reduction goals for electric power plants: wind energy is a big part of the answer.

The Texas Public Utility Commission, the Texas Railroad Commission, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality are hearing testimony today on EPA’s Clean Power Plan under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act.

“Texas is blessed with incredibly abundant supplies of clean energy,” the Wind Coalition's Jeff Clark says in his submission, pointing out that 117 wind farms in Texas already make over 10% of the state's electricity.

More wind energy can help meet the new rule with homegrown energy, Clark says, resulting in "greater economic prosperity, improvements in air and water quality, and predictable and affordable energy prices for Texas consumers, including our vital manufacturing base."

Most of today’s modern wind fleet has emerged just in the last decade, proving it is quickly scalable.

And wind power is more cost-effective than ever, with the cost to electric utilities down over 50% in the past five years. It’s  already producing significant carbon reductions. AWEA used EPA’s AVERT model to calculate that the current U.S. fleet reduced carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 127 million short tons last year, equal to cutting power sector emissions more than 5 percent, or taking 20 million cars off the road. Eleven states have already reduced carbon dioxide emissions more than 10 percent due to wind energy alone, and three more states are just under that threshold.

"Texans should be proud of our distinguished history in energy development and innovation,” Clark says, leading the world not only in oil and natural gas production and technologies, but now also in wind energy.

See the rest of his letter here.

Stay informed

Take Action

Subscribe to the American Clean Power blog and receive the latest renewable energy news, policy updates, and opportunities to get involved.