Energy
More than perhaps any other state, Texas is associated with energy production. From images of oil-soaked wildcatters watching gushers come in to sprawling fields of wind turbines, Texas has been a national leader in energy production and innovation. Gov. Perry has worked diligently to ensure our state’s energy resources can accommodate the needs of our rapidly-growing population and spur greater prosperity.
Key Initiatives
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Expansion of Renewable Energy
Texas is a world leader in wind power, with more wind power installed than any other state and all but four other countries. The state has also made a commitment to modernizing its transmission grid to enable the movement of more than 18,000 megawatts of wind power from West Texas to the major population centers in the eastern and central parts of the state. Texas has also invested more than $1 million from the Texas Enterprise Fund to support solar energy manufacturing and has invested more than $4.5 million from the Emerging Technology Fund to support the commercialization of the next generation of solar energy technologies.
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Implementation of Competition in Energy Market
In 2002, Texas’ wholesale energy generation and retail electric markets fully opened to competition. A competitive market has increased consumer options and improved quality of service, as well as facilitated the development of alternative energy sources.
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Increasing Energy Efficiency
New, energy-efficient technology increases the ability of consumers to decrease their energy expense. Lower energy use decreases the need for all or a portion of the additional generation resources. Texas has provided incentives for energy efficiency and currently meets at least 20% of its growth in energy demand from energy efficiency, including building more Energy Star rated homes than any other state.
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Opposing Harmful Cap & Trade Legislation
During his tenure in office, Gov. Perry has presided over one of the largest expansions of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the history of Texas, as well as dramatic expansions in Texas’ natural gas production. Texas has proven that it is possible to foster new, renewable energy technologies without devastating the traditional energy industry.
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