In an effort to offset Texas’ dirty fuel energy reliance, Sen. Kirk Watson’s SB 541, the second prominent renewable energy bill of the session, has passed the Senate.
The bill would require Texas power plants to be producing 1500 megawatts of clean renewable energy by the year 2020 and help fund utility-scale solar, biomass and geothermal projects.
Solar and biomass and geothermal sources of energy can help supplement wind, which generates its greatest capacity at night, during peak daytime hours.
The other bill, Sen. Troy Fraser’s SB 545, aims to advance rooftop solar energy and sets clear goals for statewide production.
Texas is currently the leader in wind energy production with 28 percent of the market, and the two bills would enhance its stature in the renewable energy market even more. If Texas was its own country, it would be ranked sixth in the world.
Holly LaFon has written and worked for various local publications including D Magazine and Examiner.
