More Wind Turbine Power for Texas!

Texas once again makes the national news on its strides for alternative clean energy!  On Thursday, July 17, 2008, the Texas Public Utility Commission gave preliminary approval to a 4.9 billion dollar investment in bringing more wind turbine power from West Texas to major cities like Dallas.  Experts say this is the biggest investment in US history in clean and renewable energy.  The funds are slated to bring new transmission lines from mostly existing turbines.  The new lines could bring 18,000 megawatts of energy and power over 4 million Texas homes.  The downside is that the plan has to face final approval by the PUC later this year and even then, won’t be up and running for three to five years.

 Even oil legend, T. Boone Pickens, is in on the new “windfall” opportunities.  Pickens plans on building the world’s largest wind farm on 200,000 acres he owns in the Texas Panhandle.  Pickens’ 2700 wind turbines will bring enough electricity to power about 1.3 million Texas homes.  Pickens has become a spokesperson for the wind industry stating, “I’ve been an oilman all my life, but this is one emergency we can’t drill our way out of”.  Pickens spokesperson, Jay Rosser said of the vote on Thursday, “it recognizes the role wind in Texas will play in meeting the states growing energy and energy stability needs”.

And I say what a wonderful place to live!  And what incredible opportunities this will bring to our state!