"Greener" energy on the agenda for Texas lawmakers

Texas has always been seen as a straggler with environmental legislation although it is the provider of much of the country's power and gas.  When lawmakers convene for the regular session starting January 13, green energy is expected to get more serious consideration due to President-Elect Obama's focus on reducing greenhouse gasses and using more renewable energy.  Although the general attitude towards green energy is more positive, lawmakers doubt that anything substantial will be passed this session.  Gov. Rick Perry is opposed to regulation of carbon dioxide emissions, saying that it would be disastrous to the Texas economy.  With its high concentration of refineries, plants, and coal-burning plants, Texas would be disproportionately hard-hit by such regulation.

Although reducing emissions may be difficult to get approval, alternate sources of renewable energy have had more success. Clean, renewable wind energy now accounts for 3% of Texas energy usage (4300 megawatts), powering over a million homes.  Any expansion of renewable energy projects decreases the amount of energy that needs to come from fossil fuels, indirectly reducing emissions.

Installed Wind Capacity in Megawatts
1999-2007

Although significant changes in environmental legislation is unlikely because of the consequences for the oil industry and Texas economy, wind energy continues to have strong bipartisan support because of positive impact on the economy and environment.