By Patrice ‘Pete’ Parsons
Executive Director
Following the nearly complete failure of the ERCOT energy grid during Winter Storm Uri, Texans have been awaiting legislation to protect the stability of the grid. Unfortunately, the actions of the Texas Senate reflect the desires of corporate insiders more than everyday Texans. Despite research that points to the failure of natural gas producers to weatherize their facilities as the most significant factor in ERCOT’s 2021 failure, a raft of punitive, anti-renewable bills has been filed in the 88th Legislative Session, while bills that subsidize fossil fuels while failing to address grid resilience are making their way to hearings.
Among the plans to prop up the fossil fuel industry, proposals would create new taxes to subsidize upwards of $10 billion in expenditures towards the subsidization of natural gas plants. Further, the legislature has promoted the PUC’s recommendation of a performance credit mechanism, a strategy that experts say is untested, fails to address the underlying causes of grid instability, and radically increases the energy costs borne by consumers.
Texas’ renewable energy numbers are nothing short of eye-popping and enviable: over the past decade, Texas has more than tripled the amount of solar and wind generated. We’re #1 in the U.S. in wind installations, with 30.46 GW, and #2 in solar energy, with 8.6 GW as of August 2022. For 2023, Texas has 7.7 GW of capacity additions planned, nearly double California’s 4.2 GW queue, moving Texas into the #1 position.
On the dispatchable side, developers are building separate storage facilities to take advantage of new tax credits for stand-alone storage in the Inflation Reduction Act. Total planned storage capacity is estimated at 28.5 GW, twice as large as California.
In addition, renewable energy now accounts for more than 36% of total electricity production. If that isn’t cause for enthusiastic thumbs-ups and high-fives, the price of renewable energy has never been cheaper. Over the past dozen years, consumers have saved more than $28 billion on their electric bills.
Cheaper power. More resilient grid. Massive emissions reductions prevent the worst effects of climate change. National bragging rights for clean energy leadership. What’s the issue here?
While renewables have proven overwhelmingly instrumental in strengthening the energy grid through diversification and reduced consumer prices, Texas legislators are actively hindering the clean energy market.
What can you do? Ask your electric utility about its renewable energy programs. Remember: you have a voice. Let your elected officials know how you feel about these anti-solar policies and the effects they will have on local jobs, economic development, your utility bill and climate change.
“Renewables are the only path to real energy security, stable power prices and sustainable employment opportunities.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres.