The state of Texas will partner with private-sector parties to invest more than $10 billion in new wind energy infrastructure.
As the Austin Business Journal reports,
"Under the partnership, private companies will make the capital investments in wind energy generation and the Public Utility Commission will direct the construction of additional transmission lines to deliver the power.
For every 1,000 megawatts generated by new wind sources, Texas will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by six million tons over the next 20 years, the governor’s office said. The investment also will provide a boost to the economy, Perry said.
"With this $10 billion announcement, the economic ripple will be more like a tidal wave as these companies pour millions of dollars into wages and salaries for Texas workers," he said.
The Texas Energy Council, which was developed in 2003 and charged with developing a long-term energy plan for the state, issued a report in December 2004 stating that 10 percent of the state’s power needs come from renewable sources. The council recommended that the Public Utility Commission take steps to overcome transmission obstacles that limit the development of renewable energy sources."
Private companies participating in the initiative are:
- AES Wind Generation
- Airtricity, Inc.
- Babcock & Brown, L.P.
- Gamesa Energy Southwest
- Horizon Wind Energy
- John Deere Wind Energy
- Orion Energy L.L.C.
- PPM Energy
- Renewable Energy Systems (USA)
- Shell WindEnergy Inc.
- Superior Renewable Energy
- D.H. Blattner
- GE Energy L.L.C.
- Mortenson
- Siemens
- Trinity Structural Towers, Inc.
- Vestas-Americas Inc.
