Texas’s energy sectors must “coexist, adapt, and evolve” to uphold the state’s leadership in energy innovation.
An editorial in the Houston Chronicle highlighted the critical importance of different energy industries collaborating to lower costs, protect the grid, and maintain Texas’s status as an energy leader. While a subscription is needed to read the entire piece, a key excerpt captures the sentiment:
There is a growing consensus among fossil fuel advocates that renewable energy is an integral part of our energy future. Over the past decade, total electricity generation from renewable sources has quadrupled, with its share of power production increasing from 8% to 25%. Texas leads the nation in clean energy capacity, having introduced 7,352 megawatts of new wind, solar, and energy storage projects this year alone, with an additional 20,000 megawatts currently in development—far surpassing California.
Despite the increasing reliance on renewable energy, there remains a short-term need for efficient, dispatchable thermal energy, primarily from natural gas, to cover gaps in generation during unfavorable weather for wind and solar.
However, as we enter the third week of Texas’s 2023 legislative session, it appears that clean energy has become a target. The Chronicle outlines various threats that clean energy industries currently face.
At the same time, leaders are seeking to impose significant new costs on Texans—funds that will directly benefit gas and coal operators.
This approach is counterproductive. Through innovation and market dynamics, Texas has emerged as the nation’s leader in clean energy. Promising advancements in energy storage and geothermal power are on the horizon. While there are opportunities for legislative action to bolster this leadership, the most crucial step is simply stepping back and allowing innovation to flourish.
I previously argued for placing consumers at the center of Texas’s energy discussions to find solutions that enhance reliability while reducing costs. This should be the focus of the current session instead of undermining essential clean energy resources or unfairly benefiting thermal energy providers.
Texas is vast, and as the Chronicle points out, a variety of energy sources, both existing and emerging, have their place in the state’s energy landscape. The role of solar energy is expanding, offering residents a way to free themselves from high bills and blackouts.
Embracing diverse energy roles will not only benefit Texas’s economy but also ensure that the state maintains its energy leadership well into the 21st century.