The Mother of all Markets
Yesterday the Texas Senate voted out SB 545, which would go a long way toward creating a viable solar market in Texas. It was evident from the interviews for Igniting Texas’ New Energy Economy that helping to create a viable market for any renewable technology would be key to benefiting from it.
From Igniting Texas’ New Energy Economy:
We might not have the most people of any state, but we definitely use the most energy. Texans use, per capita, up to twice as much energy as our neighbors in other states. But even if we reduce our per-capita consumption, growth projections suggest Texas is going to need more energy options—a lot more—far into the future. We are the mother of all domestic energy markets. This reality might make some environmentalists and energy planners cringe (for different reasons), but it is music to the
ears of entrepreneurs and corporations intending to power the next century. “We have 26 million Texans,” says Robert King, president of Good Company Associates. “We have a demand for 30 percent more electricity than California. We are very energy-intensive, we have a lot of energy-intensive industries. We have hot territory and cold territory. So anybody with a good energy idea has a huge potential market right here.” Of all the topics talked over with interviewees, none enjoyed as much unanimity as did the importance of a large, ready and eager consumer market and our state’s ability to spur it. “State government can send very clear market signals to industry,” says UT professor Dr. Michael Webber. “Because what sets Texas industry apart is consistent adherence to fundamental, sound business principles, which means they respond to market signals. If government sends a clear market signal that it is serious and intent on getting Texas on a transition toward a cleaner energy path, that market signal will be very effective.” “The technology is out there,” Stanbery says. “We are not waiting for someone to invent something. We are just waiting for it all to be pulled together and for people—those political leaders who really want to provide leadership and for the advocacy organizations that really want to see a solution—to say, ‘Look, it’s right here.’ If we create that market, the market will respond.” In fact, it is more than a little ironic that Texas’ lack of aggressiveness in energy efficiency and clean tech makes it one of the most fertile markets for these products. “This may sound counter-intuitive,” says EDF’s Jim Marston. “But because we have not done much to date, there is a lot of low-hanging fruit out there.”
Big Day for Solar in Texas
Senate Bill 545 was passed today in the Senate. If it makes it through house and state leadership, it will do a lot for starting a solar market in Texas!
Colorado vs. Texas
We don’t want to be shipping out solar panels from colorado do we?
From Igniting Texas’ New Energy Economy:
“The world has changed. Republican and Democrat leaders across the country are pouncing on this opportunity. It’s not a partisan issue anymore — Texas just hasn’t gotten the memo.”
— Jim Marston
Regional Director (Texas), Environmental Defense Fund
Pennsylvania vs. Texas
State Leaders in Pennsylvania are sponsoring a Green Energy Fair this weekend.
To quote one State Senator:
“Central Pennsylvania was a leader in the energy revolution of the 19th century,” Wozniak said, “and we are in a position to lead the energy revolution of the 21st century.”
Half the battle in bringing the new energy revolution to Texas is demonstrating our desire for it. When Texas acts, the industry will take notice.
From Igniting Texas’ New Energy Economy:
“We don’t have to reinvent the wheel here; we just have to be even with everybody else, because we have so many other natural advantages.”
- Pat Wood
Principal, Wood3 Resources
93,200 Texas Jobs Lost Since February
The Texas Workforce Commission announced that Texas lost 47,100 jobs in March. With 46,100 jobs lost in February it is clear that Texas isn’t untouched by the current economic downturn. If you read the post below, you’ll see that 1,000 MW of Texas solar equals 25,000 jobs.
From Igniting Texas’ New Energy Economy:
“If government sends a clear market signal that it is serious and intent on getting Texas on a transition toward a cleaner energy path, that market signal will be very effective.”
— Dr. Michael Webber
Professor, The University of Texas at Austin
Go Solar Texas Campaign Ad
Here is a great ad produced by Environment Texas, Public Citizen and Environmental Defense about solar.
Consider this – 1,000 MW of Texas solar = 25,000 jobs
From Igniting Texas’ New Energy Economy:
“We need to get smart about the opportunities that are here, because this has the opportunity to provide us with well-paying jobs — from manufacturing all the way out to installation and service — and do so for a long, long time.”
– Steve Taylor
Applied Materials
Welcome
Welcome to the new texascatalystproject.org. With 45 days left in the Texas Legislative Session, we hope to provide a forum to ensure Texas benefits from the new energy revolution.
“No one questions Texas’ position as the U.S. energy capital of the 20th century, and if Texas were to leverage that history into an advantage in the new energy economy, the competition would quiver. People like me in California look at Texas and wonder when it will wake up and realize how easily it could win this race.”
— Ari Swiller
Founder, Renewable Resources Group (RRG)
