Texas: 'Saudi Arabia' of wind

Houston Chronicle
April 1, 2005

Some have said that drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a viable alternative to solar or wind power because these alternative energy sources are inefficient.

But on the contrary, wind power is efficient and very practical.

In Kansas, North Dakota and Texas, it has demonstrated the potential to supply all the electrical needs of the nation. Texas, in fact, is known as the Saudi Arabia of wind.

To our credit, Texas has mandated that 5 percent of all electricity has to come from wind, and Texas is the second leading producer of wind power in the country. There is a proposal to increase this mandated wind energy to 20 percent.

At 4 cents per kilowatt hours and falling, it is the cheapest way to produce electricity.

The only thing missing is political leadership.

Considering the excessive influence of the oil industry, Texas is rich in wind energy and it is there for the taking.

An easy but decisive first step toward a clean, sustainable and cheap wind future would be to simply shift the massive subsidies that are going to the oil industry over to the wind and alternative energy industries.

TOM COSTELLO
Pearland

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