POWERING TEXAS Texas America’s Leader in Wind Energy The state of Texas is the national leader in wind energy. Texas ranks first in the nation in both installed and under-construction wind energy capacity, generating more power than the next three most prolific wind energy states combined. 2 | POWERING TEXAS Texas: America’s Leader in Wind Energy Texas has led the way in meeting our nation’s energy needs for decades. Now, the same state that blazed trails in years past is setting the pace once again—diversifying its economy and creating the energy grid of the future with renewable energy. The state of Texas is the national leader in wind energy. This foundation of pro-growth conservative wind policy— Texas ranks first in the nation1 in both installed and under- and the ongoing support of the industry by consumers, construction wind energy capacity, generating more policymakers, regulators and leading global businesses in power than the next three most prolific wind energy states the years that followed—has helped generate $42 billion of combined. That output makes Texas a leader in wind investment in Texas wind energy through 2017.4 That massive energy not just nationally, but globally. In fact, if Texas were investment has led to big things for Texas: more than 24,000 a country, it would rank fifth in the world in installed wind well-paying jobs, significant opportunity in the manufacturing energy capacity. sector thanks to 46 active facilities producing wind energy components and equipment, increased state and local tax The growth of Texas wind energy has been driven by high revenue, and a more diverse economy powered by an demand for electricity from a growing economy, excellent energy supply that’s built for the future and not susceptible to wind resources, corporate commitments to predictable and global price swings. long-term energy resources, a largely independent power grid, and—importantly—competitive, intelligent, conservative policy. Corporate demand for renewable energy is driving investment in wind and solar power in the state. Major Texas’ dominance in wind energy was fostered with the manufacturers, retailers, technology firms, and other implementation of a modest Renewable Portfolio Standard2 companies are making investments in Texas renewables. (RPS) in 1999 under the leadership of Governor George W. Some are even making plans to expand their manufacturing Bush. In 2005, under Governor Rick Perry, the Republican-led activities thanks to the availability of predictably priced, state legislature signaled growing support for wind and solar affordable wind energy. energy by strengthening the Renewable Portfolio Standard to require that 5,880 megawatts come from renewable sources Texas is a windy state, and that wind brings benefits to the state by 2015. Lawmakers also set a goal of 10,000 megawatts of of Texas that reach far beyond power generation. As both renewable capacity by 2025. Texas surpassed the 2015 goal generating capacity and consumer demand continue to grow, in 2008 and the 2025 goal in 2010 – and they did so almost wind energy will create even more jobs, economic opportunity, entirely with wind power. and consumer benefits in communities across the state. The majority of Texas’ wind resources are concentrated in Texas leads the nation in installed West Texas, while the majority of the population and power wind capacity at over 24 gigawatts demand lies in the eastern portion of the state. To address this challenge, Governor Perry also signed legislation (GW), and is also the nation’s leader directing the development of over 2,300 miles of high- in wind turbines. There are 144 wind voltage new transmission lines that would allow for the efficient movement of energy from West Texas to the high projects online in Texas, with the vast demand centers further east and south. majority (133) operating at a scale The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) collaborated greater than 10 megawatts. with ERCOT, Texas’ self-contained electric grid, to establish the Competitive Renewable Energy Zone (CREZ)3 This handbook provides information outlining just a few of transmission project in West Texas. Completed in 2013, the the ways in which wind is powering Texas’ future, discussing CREZ transmission project transmits more than 18.5 MW the industry’s remarkable power output, its economic impact, of wind and gas generated electricity across Texas. These state and local tax contributions, and support delivered by transmission lines enable Texas to provide three times as wind to rural communities across the state. The handbook much wind power as any other state. also discusses issues that are critical to the future growth, such as military siting and permitting. A GUIDE TO WIND ENERGY | 3 Wind Energy in Texas: The Basics More than Electricity: The Economic Impact of Texas Wind Energy Wind is a top tier source of energy in the state of Texas.5 During 2017, wind energy provided nearly 15 percent of all in- The electricity generated by wind energy powers Texas’ state electricity production – the tenth highest share of wind economy, keeping the lights on and services running in the electricity in the nation – enough to power 6,235,000 Texas face of high demand. Wind ensures that business owners homes. Texas leads the nation in installed wind capacity at large and small can count on reliable power when they need over 24 gigawatts (GW), and is also the nation’s leader in it. Wind energy is an economic boon to Texas, creating jobs, wind turbines. There are 144 wind projects online in Texas, opportunity, and revenue that strengthens communities and with the vast majority (133) operating at a scale greater than provides economic opportunity for families. 10 megawatts. Growing Production, Creating Jobs Wind is big business across the country and nowhere is it bigger than in Texas. According to recent research from the Department of Energy,7 there are more than 100,000 jobs in wind energy across the country. More Americans work in wind than in the generation of nuclear, coal, natural gas, or hydroelectric energy. And in Texas alone, the wind energy $5.7B industry employs more than 24,000 people.$2.38 Wind power saved The industry is creating opportunitiesFor for workerseach additional at a MW over $5.7 billion in less remarkable pace, and labor statisticsof indicate wind thatthat industry was produced, than a decade. will do even more to put Texans to work inthe years clearing to come. price According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, “wind turbine technician” is the nation’s secondin the fastestbalancing growing energy job,8 market expected to nearly double over the course offell the nextby $2.38.decade while paying a median salary of around $54,000 per year. Expansion of the state’s wind energy industry has saved Armed service veterans are an important part of the wind consumers money. Between 2010 and 2017, wind power industry workforce. Nationwide, the wind energy industry helped push down wholesale electricity market costs by employs veterans at a rate 72 percent higher than the between $350-$960 million per year, resulting in Texas national average thanks to their technical expertise and their consumers saving over $5.7 billion.6 wealth of transferrable skills, from hard work and discipline to an ability to perform in high-pressure situations. The wind energy industry is an established contributor to the Texas electrical grid. Maintaining a predictable policy landscape ensures a competitive and balanced market, and empowers renewable energy in Texas to contribute for generations to come. An additional 5,322 megawatts of capacity are under construction, and 1,660 megawatts are in advanced stages of development. 24,00024,000++ JobsJobs In Texas alone, the wind energy industry employs more than 24,000 people. 4 | POWERING TEXAS LEGISLATIVE GUIDE | 5 4646 Texas is host to 46 active wind energy manufacturing facilities. “According to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, “wind turbine Powering Texas Manufacturing technician” is the nation’s second Wind energy manufacturing is thriving, and data suggests fastest growing job.” that it will continue to do so in years to come. Texas is at the center of this manufacturing boom—and that means more jobs, investment, and tax revenue for the Lone Star State. Jason Grizzle,9 a Regional Manager for E.ON, a wind developer, owner, and operator, in West Texas, said that his time in the A typical wind energy turbine is comprised of around 8,000 military taught him how to be a leader, how to manage people, components.12 In Texas and nationwide, this represents a and to motivate them to work toward a common objective. significant opportunity for local manufacturers. There are Richard Hoffman,10 a welder at Broadwind Towers, noted that more than 500 manufacturing facilities in the United States military service prepared him for the wind industry because both devoted to wind energy, producing everything from major environments require commitment, discipline, and a desire to do wind turbine components such as nacelles, blades, and things the right way. Federal policy proposals, like the Energy towers to internal components like bearings, slip rings, Jobs for Our Heroes Act of 2018,11 would help make veteran fasteners, and power converters. hiring in the wind sector even more prevalent. Given the size and scale of the components needed to build Thanks to a history of entrepreneurship and innovation, a wind turbine, manufacturers are motivated to establish extensive private investment, and insightful state policy, local facilities, and that has been good news for the Lone Texas wind is poised to provide thousands of jobs in Star State. Texas is a national hotspot for wind energy construction, manufacturing, maintenance and more manufacturing, playing host to 46 active manufacturing for decades to come.