Clean Energy is Booming in Texas. That’s Good News Now, and for Years to Come.

By John Hall

Since the first oil well erupted at Spindletop a century ago, Texas has been America’s unofficial energy capital. That’s no secret. Texans may be surprised, however, at how well our clean energy economy has performed and how well-positioned we are to compete in the clean energy revolution that’s erupting around the world.

Over the past two decades, entrepreneurs and elected officials have quietly launched Texas to the top of several “clean energy lists.” We produce more wind power than any other state. In fact, if we were a country, we’d be in the top five globally. This incredible growth is boosting local economies including Corpus Christi, whose port just had a record year handling the massive blades and towers destined to become wind energy turbines.

And it gets better. Globally, the world is moving from older, dirtier energy like coal to newer, cleaner energy.

In the last 30 years, the percent of America’s electricity supply that comes from coal has fallen precipitously. Coal is on a long, downhill slide and, despite what some politicians may say, it’s not coming back. Promising to put coal miners back to work isn’t only risky politics, it’s a bad economic bet. Nearly half of American coal is produced by companies in bankruptcy. Few, if any, projections show meaningful coal industry growth. In Texas, most of the coal used by power generators is imported from other states, which means that we’re not only propping up a dying industry, we’re also paying about $2 billion a year to other states.

Around the world, investors are betting big on clean energy like solar and wind, which are more affordable than ever. And unlike fossil fuel prices that spike and plunge, clean energy costs decline over time as technology improves. For countries and cities struggling with air pollution, clean energy is much smarter and healthier.

Texas has more potential than any other state for solar power, energy efficiency, and demand response – an innovation that pays customers and businesses for saving energy. This certainly has environmental and cost-savings benefits for Texas customers. We’ll have more energy options, and the cleaner they are, the cleaner our air will be. Plus, coal-fired electricity requires massive amounts of water, often in short supply here. Solar and wind need virtually no water.

Clean energy brings broader economic opportunities, as well. Dollar for dollar, investments in clean energy create three times as many jobs as investments in the fossil fuel industry. Solar panels need to be manufactured and installed. Wind turbines need to be built and maintained. Smart energy software needs to be designed and launched. All of these are potential jobs for Texans – good-paying jobs at various skill levels. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, wind and solar power generation employs more than four times as many Texans as coal and natural gas electricity generation does. And instead of spending billions of dollars on out-of-state coal and the health consequences its pollution creates, we could rely on homegrown energy that supports our tax base (not Wyoming’s).

A poll from 2016 suggests Texans are on board: More than 85 percent of Texas voters support the increased use of clean energy resources. For a state that’s divided on so many issues, that’s an overwhelming show of support. And more clean energy is already on its way. The state’s main grid operator projects that renewable energy demand and capacity will grow significantly in coming years, reducing our reliance on coal.

Smart energy policy need not be partisan. Texas’ clean energy progress has happened under three Republican governors and a conservative state Legislature. We are on the cusp of a remarkable economic opportunity, but we’re not done yet.

This legislative session, elected officials and business leaders should take the next step by developing and implementing a bold, comprehensive Texas energy plan that recognizes how effective this industry has been and expands clean energy investment and innovation.

Texas already is arguably a leader in the clean energy game, but it could be dominating it.

John Hall is the executive vice president for Clean Energy with the Environmental Defense Fund.