Jan 11, 2010
Lawsuit Should Not Delay Texas’ Effort to Bring Wind Power to Customers Throughout the State
Lawsuit Should Not Delay Texas’ Effort to Bring Wind Power to Customers Throughout the State
by Paul L. Sadler, Executive Director of The Wind Coalition
Texas is leading the way to tap its abundant wind power and ensure that customers throughout the state benefit from this natural renewable resource. For years, our state leaders, legislators, regulators, industry leaders, consumers, and advocacy groups have worked hand-in-hand to shape the future of Texas power. Indeed, the nation is following very closely our state’s progress in the Competitive Renewable Energy Zone process, which is the build out of transmission lines that principally will connect the wind power in West Texas and the Panhandle to the state’s grid. This is the last link in a public policy process that began years ago to bring Texas’ wind power to us, the customers.
Texas leads the nation in renewable wind power production with more than 8,500 megawatts of wind capacity. Although we are just beginning to realize the potential benefits of wind power, our state can already point to a more diverse Texas electricity supply and electric prices lowered by roughly $2 billion per year. Even using these preliminary estimates, it would mean the CREZ transmission lines, expected to cost $5 billion, would pay for themselves in 2.5 years. Therefore, it is imperative that these lines be built on time and as planned.
The City of Garland has sued the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC), the agency overseeing the wind development projects, charging it with unfair exclusion of municipal owned utilities, like Garland, from the bidding process. Garland is not regulated by the PUC nor is it included in the de-regulated market. This charge deserves a fair hearing, as our justice system allows, but it should be handled in a way that allows the CREZ process to continue. Texas customers can’t afford for the work already underway to be put into limbo while the lawyers argue.
According to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, (ERCOT), it takes five years to build transmission lines. Years of planning have already gone into the current expansion, and fabrication of the transmission line components by companies across Texas. For example, Falcon Steel in Haltom City, Texas, and Trinity Industries in Dallas, Texas are building the steel transmission towers today. Any delay in the CREZ projects already approved by the PUC will put jobs, economic development and renewable energy development at risk.
Judge Stephen Yelenosky, a respected jurist, has the leeway to direct the PUC to modify its order and keep the CREZ transmission process moving forward. He could also direct the PUC to hold a hearing to reopen the entire process - and that would bring this all to a grinding halt. And Texas loses.
For the benefit of Texas consumers, the environment and the work already underway, we encourage Judge Yelenosky to find a fair and speedy resolution to this legal conflict without any delay in our progress toward a cleaner energy future.
Contact: Eric Bearse
(512) 397-3212
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