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Learn more from Power Up Texas
About the Power Up Texas Alliance
Power Up 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 both the #1 energy producer and consumer in the country. Our economy and continued growth are dependent on reliable power, and how we meet this massive demand has tremendous implications. In order to remain on top, Texas should incentivize all forms of energy development and encourage our state’s innovative spirit and uniquely qualified workforce. 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.
EDUCATION PARTNERS:
Texas Renewable Energy
Leading the nation
Renewables are the fastest-growing electricity generation source in the United States, with 24% of U.S. electricity generation coming from renewable sources in the first half of 2022.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Texas led the nation in overall renewable energy production in the first quarter of 2022, accounting for over 14% of the country’s totals.
The success of renewable energy 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 our state’s most abundant resources.
Texas Renewable Energy: 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 our abundant natural resources.
The Economic Impact of Texas Renewable Energy:
Texas jobs
Supporting Local Communities’:
Schools
Libraries
Hospitals
Roads
Water Saved by Wind Energy in 2019 alone:
billion gallons of water
metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions prevented
Texas Energy Policy in 2023
What Happened During the 88th Texas Legislative Session?
During the 88th Legislative Session, Power Up Texas fought hard to protect the future of renewable energy in Texas and were successful in combating many pieces of legislation that aimed to stop production altogether.
Legislation put forth included provisions that would cost Texas consumers, grow the size of government while shrinking our property rights, raise taxes, and devastate rural communities, among other consequences. In retaliation, renewable energy supporters flooded legislators’ inboxes asking them to stand up for clean energy, and Power Up Texas members issued letters, and media outreach efforts garnered nearly 50 stories written about our issues.
While there were many wins this past session for the renewable energy cause, we must be ready to fight again come 2025 during the 89th Legislative Session, and Power Up Texas needs renewable energy advocates from all corners of Texas to do so!
The History of Texas Energy Policy
How did we get here?
The road to renewable energy’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’ renewable resources are concentrated in West and South 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 and South Texas to the high demand centers further east and north.
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, solar and gas generated electricity across Texas. 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.
Power Up 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
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