renewable energy in texas - oas - organization of american states
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Renewable Energy in TexasRenewable Energy in Texas
Foro sobre EnergForo sobre Energíía Sosteniblea Sostenible
parapara Centro y Norte Centro y Norte AmAmééricarica
San Salvador San Salvador –– 11 de 11 de diciembre diciembre de 2008 de 2008
Jerry Patterson, Commissioner
Texas General Land Office
Texas General Land Office:
Brief Overview
• Oldest State Agency: Republic of Texas Congress established the General Land Office (GLO) in 1837
• First job was to collect and manage land records
• Today, additional responsibilities include real estate and energy management of state lands, oil spill clean-up and response, and stewardship of Texas’ coast
• The core mission of the GLO is to manage over 13 million acres of land constitutionally dedicated to the Permanent School Fund (PSF)
Texas General Land Office
Overview (cont’d)
• Permanent School Fund established in 1854 to provide financial support of public schools apart from taxpayer money
• Revenues to the fund are largely royalties collected off oil and gas mineral leases
• Seeking diversification of PSF revenue stream; renewable program plays a role. Renewable Energy division formed to find leasing opportunities for state lands – wind, solar, geothermal, and more.
Texas Wind Business
• Texas is a good state to call home if wind is your business
– #2 in ranking of U.S. windy states
– #1 in U.S. installed wind capacity
• As of September 2008
– Texas = 6,200 MW
– California = 2,438 MW (next closest state)
Wind Biz (cont’d.)
• Texas welcomes international business
• Seeking to be hub in manufacturing, assembly, component supply, R&D, transportation
• Research and Design – CRADA
• Manufacturing – Job Growth
GLO Wind Projects
In the western Gulf of Mexico
• Only one right of way owner to deal with out to 10.3 miles
– Lots of available acreage
• Fairly shallow
• Already plenty of offshore energy infrastructure permitted via USACE
• First offshore wind production – 2011?
GOW-WEST Met Tower
Reasons wind works in Texas
• Business friendly climate– Deregulation opens the door
• Policy friendly– 1999 Texas Legislature established RPS
requiring 2000 new MW electric power generation come from renewable sources
– 2005 – Legislature raised requirement to 5,880 MW by 2015 and set a target of 10,000 MW renewable capacity by 2025
Ahead of the Curve (CREZ)
• With traditional power sources, time required for installing new generation roughly equals time required for building new transmission
• Wind generation can be built faster, often ready before the transmission
• 2005 Legislature required Public Utility Commission:– Identify areas of most likely renewable energy development,
taking into account factors such as generator interest, length of time and cost to build, and proximity to load
– Expedite transmission building in these zones, dubbed “Competitive Renewable Energy Zones” or CREZ
• July 2007 PUC selected 8 CREZ’s, directed ERCOT to develop transmission plans for wind capacity in the range of 10,000 – 25,000 MW
• Texas leading state in addressing this issue
Solar Potential: Texas
Solar Developments
San Benito Solar ShowcaseSan Benito Solar Showcase
• Funded by Environmental Protection Agency
• Working with North American Development Bank and City of San Benito
• Largest PV project in Texas south of San Antonio
• Award: TEXAS RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT OF THE YEAR 2008
The View from Above
Border Energy
Border Energy Program
• Impact on energy markets from growing
natural gas and electricity demand.
• Concerns about regional economic
development and environmental
protection.
Border Energy Program
• Annual US-Mexico Border Energy Forum
started in 1994 in El Paso.
• Border Energy Forum XV – Monterrey,
October 23-24, 2008
• Border Energy Forum XVI – Houston,
October 22-23, 2009
Border Energy Program
• Works with regional organizations and
directly with other states.
• Border Governors Conference – Energy
Working Table
• www.borderenergy.org
Alternative Fuels
