Texas Energy
For the first time, Texas is a net energy
importer. Oil production in the state is falling. Natural gas
consumption is increasing, but reserves are shrinking. Coal use has
risen. The state is now dependent on other states and foreign
countries to meet energy demands. The primary reason for this demand
is Texas's huge appetite for electricity. Renewable energy such as
wind energy, solar power, biomass energy, hydropower, and
conservation could play large roles in the state's energy mix. At
present, however, the state derives very little of its total energy
from renewable sources.
With over 21 million residents, Texas accounts for about eight
percent of the U.S. population. At the same time, it accounts for 12
percent of the nation's total energy usage. In 1999, the state
ranked 5th in per capita energy consumption. Among the states, Texas
energy ranks first in overall consumption of petroleum, natural gas,
coal and electricity. Liquid Petroleum Gas, which is used as a
chemical feedstock, is the leading petroleum product consumed in the
state.
In 1981, the oil and gas industry accounted for 25 percent of the
gross state product. By 1997, it had fallen to 10.4 percent. By the
year 2015, oil and gas is expected to account for 8.6 percent of the
gross state product and eight percent by 2020. State tax revenues
also have fallen. During the 1950s, the state routinely got
one-third of its revenue from oil and gas taxes. By 1997 the state's
total tax revenue from oil and gas was 2.7 percent of the state's
total revenue.
With its sunny weather, and strong winds, Texas holds great promise
for renewable energy. Wind energy, solar power, biomass energy, and
conservation could play large roles in the state's energy mix. The
Texas Public Utility Commission's definition of renewable energy is
"technology that exclusively relies on an energy source naturally
regenerated over a short time and derived directly or indirectly
from sun, wind, geothermal, hydro, wave, tidal energy or
biomass/landfill gas.
Texas receives enough solar energy to supply one and a half times
the world's current energy consumption. If the entire state of
Texas—all 262,000 square miles of it—were covered with solar cells,
the state would generate 550 quadrillion BTUs of electrical energy
every year. That is equal to one and a half times the total energy
used in the world. Obviously, the state will never be paved with
solar cells, but Texas could easily incorporate solar power into the
fuel mix.
Hydropower in Texas accounts for one percent or approximately 640
megawatts of electric generating capacity. While that is only a
fraction of the state's total electric needs, these hydropower
facilities are nonpolluting and provide reliable power. However,
dams do destroy aquatic habitat and free-flowing streams that
provide recreational opportunities as well as freshwater inflow to
Texas's bays and estuaries. There might be 1000 MW of undeveloped
hydropower, but this is not being contemplated for development.
Texas generates huge amounts of plant and animal waste that could be
used for thermal power generation. There are four projects in Texas
energy that utilize the combustible waste gases escaping from
landfills. Such cities as San Antonio, Dallas, Garland, Waco, and
Austin are developing projects. Every year, Texas energy produces
some two quadrillion BTUs in the form of agricultural wastes,
municipal waste, and energy crops. If all that energy could be
recovered, it would be enough to generate two-thirds of all the
electricity used in Texas. The 2002 Farm Bill provides incentives
for on-farm energy projects, which, if used, will increase the
amount of biomass energy created in the state.
http://www.texasep.org/html/nrg/nrg2.html
Texas Energy
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