What Texans want is more, less expensive electricity, not less, more expensive electricity. If Texas wants to reduce energy costs and save money for Texas consumers, it needs to go back to the drawing board and make significant changes to the energy efficiency program and eliminate the Renewable Portfolio Standard.
Texas has the most competitive electricity market in the world. Its telecommunications market is equally successful. While the details of the transitions to competition for these two markets differ, the results are remarkably similar—exceptional increases in consumer choice and decreases in consumer prices.
June 24, 2009
Economic Freedom 81st Legislative Session in Review By Bill Peacock
A review of the 80th Texas Legislature’s work on property rights, homeowners' and windstorm insurance, electricity and renewable energy, civil justice, telecommunications, and financial regulation.
Proposed and enacted solutions for securing affordable and reliable energy for Texas consumers run from higher taxes and subsidies to mandated production from alternative fuel sources. However, long-term solutions must rely on a proper understanding of our current situation and market-based innovations.
Instead of subsidizing private wind development and imposing billions of dollars in new transmission costs upon retail electric customers, Texas policymakers should step back and allow the energy marketplace to bring wind power online when the market is ready. Texas consumers will reap the benefits.
A careful look at the costs of wind energy in Texas reveals that Texas consumers and taxpayers ought to think twice about the state’s current policy of subsidizing wind energy.
This PowerPoint presentation was given by Rob Bradley of the Institute for Energy Research, at the Texas Public Policy Foundation's policy primer, “Wind Energy: Power for the Future or a Lot of Hot Air?”
This PowerPoint presentation was given by Jeff Pollock of J. Pollock, Inc., at the Texas Public Policy Foundation's policy primer, “Wind Energy: Power for the Future or a Lot of Hot Air?”
Senate Bill 533 Mandate for Renewable Energy Costs Consumers By Bill Peacock
Proponents of mandating the increased use of wind power
claim it is less expensive than traditional sources of
power. However, that claim ignores the facts.
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