Wind energy is growing rapidly across the nation, bringing new jobs and a large economic boost to communities where it has developed. Technological advancements in wind turbines, blade designs, telecommunications, computing, and energy storage have made wind energy cost-competitive with other forms of electricity. In a first for any U.S. power grid, wind energy became the leading fuel source for the Southwest Power Pool in 2020, knocking coal from the top. The SPP provides power for 14 states including all or part of Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.
WIND FACTS + RESOURCES
PROVIDES AFFORDABLE, LONG TERM PRICE STABILITY:
Technological advancements in turbines, blade designs, telecommunications, and computing have made wind energy cost-competitive with other forms of electricity. And, while the price of electricity from other sources can fluctuate due to variable costs like fuel, the fuel price on a wind farm is fixed for perpetuity. This means that wind power can help hedge against fuel price volatility in other forms of generation.
REVITALIZES RURAL ECONOMIES:
Wind energy can diversify the economies of rural communities, adding to the tax base and providing new types of income for farming and ranching communities. Wind energy investments are large and these capital investments add a new source of property taxes in rural areas that otherwise have a challenging time attracting new industry. Communities across our region now actively recruit wind energy development as part of their regional economic development programs.
CREATE JOBS:
PROVIDES GREATER ENERGY INDEPENDENCE:
Wind turbines diversify our energy portfolio and help reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels. Wind energy is homegrown Texas energy and – because its cost is constant – can help provide a hedge against increases in fossil fuel costs. Regional wind and natural gas resources integrate well, creating opportunities for both markets to grow while unseating dirtier, imported fuels.
SUPPORTS THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY:
IS DROUGHT-RESISTANT:
After agriculture, traditional power generation is the nation’s second largest use of water. Wind is an infinite fuel that generates electricity without using water. For example, producing the same amount of electricity can take about 600 times more water with nuclear power than wind, and about 500 times more water with coal than wind.
HELPS PROTECT CLEAN WATER + CLEAN AIR: