Texas has a reputation for conservative politics, a powerful oil and gas industry, and a fair amount of skepticism about human-caused climate change. Despite all of this, Texas now leads the United States in wind power production.
In 2014, wind generated almost 11% of Texas electricity, almost doubling the percentage from just five years earlier. The state has more than 12 gigawatts of wind power capacity, which is equivalent to six Hoover Dams. In fact, Texas has six of the ten largest wind farms in the nation, including three of the top five. The largest one is the Roscoe Wind Farm, located about 220 miles west of Dallas. Its 627 turbines spread across 100,000 acres produce enough electricity to power 265,000 homes.
How did all of this come about? It has been a combination of strong government incentives, sizeable investments in infrastructure and some innovative policies. Remarkably, the expansion of wind power in Texas has enjoyed the backing of governors of all political persuasions, ranging from liberal Democrat Ann Richards to conservative Rick Perry.
The sales pitch for wind power in Texas has rarely included words about the environment. Instead, the big selling point has been that farmers and ranchers can get rich from windmills. That was the basis of a political movement that went to the Texas legislature and demanded incentives and goals for wind because it can make money.
Today, the wind industry in Texas continues to grow and there is even talk of offshore wind farms in the Gulf. Wind advocates in other states are spreading the message that if a conservative state like Texas can make it work, they can make it work in their own states.
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How Conservative Texas Took The Lead in U.S. Wind Power
Photo, posted in May of 2012, courtesy of Kool Cats Photography via Flickr.
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Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.