{"id":14907,"date":"2017-02-08T10:23:00","date_gmt":"2017-02-08T16:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=14907"},"modified":"2017-03-02T11:08:01","modified_gmt":"2017-03-02T16:08:01","slug":"texas-leaders-can-use-clean-energy-to-increase-investments-and-create-jobs-heres-how","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2017\/02\/08\/texas-leaders-can-use-clean-energy-to-increase-investments-and-create-jobs-heres-how\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Leaders Can Use Clean Energy to Increase Investments and Create Jobs. Here\u2019s How."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"GA_Washington_DC4\"It\u2019s that time again. Texas leaders are meeting in Austin for the 85th<\/sup> Legislative Session and the next five months will be an interesting wrestling match over human rights, voting rights, bathroom rights, and local rights.<\/p>\n

But what about our economic rights? A new report <\/a>Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) issued to the Texas Legislature, Texas\u2019 Clean Energy Economy: Prioritizing Jobs, Investments, and Growth<\/em>, shows the Lone Star State\u2019s evolving electricity landscape has created enormous economic growth and jobs. The report explores the policies put in place years ago that has allowed Texas\u2019 power market to become cleaner and more affordable, and it outlines the state\u2019s impressive job growth in energy efficiency, wind, and solar power.<\/p>\n

The report urges our leaders to develop and implement a bold, comprehensive Texas energy plan to create well-paid jobs, drive innovation and investment, make us more energy independent, and protect our water supplies, while improving the health of Texans and the environment.<\/p>\n

Transition underway<\/strong><\/p>\n

The electricity sector in Texas and across the U.S. is experiencing dramatic change. In the past few years, less electricity has come from coal because of cheaper natural gas and renewables. Unprecedented energy innovation and a robust, competitive market are rapidly transitioning Texas to a clean energy economy.<\/p>\n

[Tweet “Texas Leaders Can Use Clean Energy to Increase Investments and Create Jobs. Here\u2019s How.”]<\/p>\n

In fact, national economic consulting firm The Brattle Group recently concluded<\/a> 85 percent of Texas\u2019 electricity in 2035 will come from natural gas and renewables. Moreover, coal\u2019s share will fall to 6 percent if gas prices remain below $4 per MMBTU and if solar prices continue to decline as forecasted.<\/p>\n

Additionally, as the state\u2019s wind industry continues to thrive, solar is poised for liftoff. The U.S. Department of Energy Wind Vision Scenario projects<\/a> that Texas could produce enough wind energy by 2030 to power the equivalent of 15.4 million homes. And the state\u2019s primary grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), forecasts<\/a> an approximately 70-fold increase in solar energy capacity from 2015 to 2030 under business as usual conditions.<\/p>\n

Clean energy rewards<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fortunately, the Lone Star State more than any other is uniquely positioned to benefit from the global transition to cleaner energy: We produce<\/a> more natural gas and wind power, and we have more potential for solar power, energy efficiency, and demand response (an innovative mechanism that rewards customers and businesses for saving energy).<\/p>\n

Harnessing the full potential of our clean resources will lead Texas to billions in savings in electricity, water, and healthcare. Here\u2019s a closer look at the benefits we can expect:\u00a0

State leaders need to leverage Texas\u2019 outstanding clean energy assets to achieve our full potential as the nation\u2019s economic powerhouse.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/p>\n