Governors' Wind Energy Coalition

Proponents of renewable energy are bracing themselves for a Texas Legislature that no longer supports renewables, instead favoring cheap natural gas, tight budgets and tea party policies.

Although Texas initially led the country in wind power, the state’s renewable energy push now has “been eclipsed by the effect of [hydraulic fracturing],” said Rep. Mark Strama (D).

The wind industry is now focused on a property tax incentive for wind farms. Local advocates warn that wind companies will leave the Lone Star State for Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska if it doesn’t pass.

“Wind is a very mature industry here in Texas, and it doesn’t need those subsidies anymore,” said Bill Peacock, director of the Center for Economic Freedom at the Texas Public Policy Foundation (Kate Galbraith, Texas Tribune/New York Times, Feb. 14)