The city of Georgetown made international news when it claimed that it moved to 100% renewable energy. But was that claim a reflection of reality? Not quite.
Around 100 people from the Georgetown area gathered at the local library to discuss this claim and understand the situation deeply. Experts from Rice University, the Partnership for Affordable Clean Energy, and the Texas Public Policy Foundation provided insight into why the claim isn’t accurate.
The panelists challenged attendees to consider the reality that they could not always be receiving electrons from renewable sources as the production of renewables sinks during peak periods of energy demand, forcing Georgetown to get its energy from the mixed ERCOT grid—not exclusively renewables. Furthermore, they emphasized the need for transparency in public policy-making and the disparate treatment that benefits renewables to the detriment of Texas’ grid reliability.
The event was hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation as part of its project to end energy subsidies at the urging of Georgetown residents. This event is supplemented by original research published by the Foundation that is made available to the public on the Foundation’s website.