Texas’ electricity shortage is a big problem, demanding aggressive action on all fronts. Unfortunately the Austin bureaucrats don’t get it. The schemes being considered by the Public Utility Commission don’t encourage innovation or champion 21st century technology. They’re just tweaks of the electricity market, designed to increase the price of electricity in hopes generators will be enticed into building more conventional power plants – a process that takes years.
Texas has vast, untapped renewable energy sources, but recently the PUC refused to implement a law passed in 2005 to mandate 500 MW of non-wind renewables.
Solar has unique advantages: It can be installed in months, not years; it produces most when we need it most; it requires minimal water; and its prices are competitive with peak demand generation.
Please write your legislators and tell them Texans support clean energy.
Lissa Magel, Dallas