The Wind Coalition

Support the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)

Texas needs more energy sources for its future. More renewable energy is an important part of the solution in achieving a balanced portfolio.

Bigger RPS = More Benefits (more taxes, more clean air, more jobs)

Benefits of 10,000 MW of wind development:

More than $10 billion of investment substantial tax base in rural Texas
School funding of up to $100 million per year
Cleaner Air reduces smog gases by about 20,000 tons/year
Saves Water about 15 billion gallons every year

RPS drives Transmission Planning & enables more Wind Power.

Without adding transmission, Texas can't add much more low-cost wind power; new power lines also enable other new power plants for Texas' future.

Transmission is a smart investment.

All transmission costs amount to less than $6 of a $100 electric bill. It will cost electric customers up to $1.50 per month to build transmission lines to access 10,000 MW of lower cost renewable energy.

Many Texans today pay in excess of an additional $50 per month for electricity due to high fuel charges. Raising the $6 transmission charge by $1.50 to access lower cost electricity is a smart investment.

Texans want more clean renewable energy.

80% support renewable energy and requiring its use according to a Feb. 2005 poll by the oil & gas industry (Texas Alliance of Energy Producers). Newspapers across the state support Texas setting more visionary renewable energy targets. (See excerpts from articles)

RPS gives opportunities for farm-based resources in rural Texas

Bigger RPS is a "welcome mat" for entire renewables industry.

Other states have more attractive renewable energy programs (11 states have RPS of 10% or higher), some with tax incentives. The RPS provides incentive to invest in our state.

Plan ahead for grid reliability.

Texas' can-do attitude and engineering expertise ensure that with proper planning, ERCOT can manage the addition of wind and other renewables into the grid. As other states and countries lead the way, Texas can learn from their experiences.

Germany, with a highly reliable electric system that is about 20% larger than Texas, already has 16,000 MW of wind installed with plans to go to 36,000 MW of wind by 2015.

Spain and Denmark each have more than 16% wind power today.

New Mexico may reach 7% capacity by the end of 2005.

Courtesy of PPM Energy

Policy Issues

ERCOT/Texas

Texas Legislative Issues

Renewable Energy Credits

Costs & Benefits

Reliability

SPP/Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Lousiana, Mississippi

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