The Public Utility Commission of Texas has approved $5 billion worth of new power lines that will carry wind energy from the western part of the state to more populated areas.
This article in the Houston Chronicle says it will give a major boost to a state that is already leading the country in wind-generated power:
It should boost the state’s wind farm business, already the largest in the nation, to even greater levels. It would increase capacity for wind generation to 18,456 megawatts.
The plan, which is expected to be finalized later this month, is a middle ground between five scenarios ranging from $3 billion to $6.4 billion.
Tom “Smitty” Smith, Texas director of Public Citizen, said Texans will ultimately benefit from higher levels of renewable energy.
“What this will net is significant long-term savings because we will not be burning nearly as much natural gas, and it will reduce the overall cost of electricity,” Smith said. “It also will create significant new jobs and reduce pollution in our urban areas.”