By moving toward sustainable energy resources, we play to our strength. Texas at the dawn of a new century is as rich in energy – sustainable energy – as it was in fossil fuel energy at the dawn of the 20th century, and unlike those fossil fuel resources that have helped to build this great state, sustainable energy resources won’t run out. - Garry Mauro, Texas Land Commissioner 1995

Our nation is currently dependent upon fossil fuels that are nonrenewable, finite resources that will eventually diminish until they are too expensive and environmentally damaging to retrieve. Although the supply of fossil fuels is limited, renewable energy comes from nature's resources that can be constantly replenished. Renewable energy sources include: biomass, hydro, geothermal, solar, wind, ocean thermal, wave action and tidal action. These primary sources of energy can be converted into heat, electricity, mechanical energy and vehicle fuel - over and over again.

Innovative Energy Demonstration Program

SECO's Innovative Energy Demonstration Program (IEDP) promotes the use of renewable energy and sustainable building design in Texas by increasing public awareness of the state's renewable energy resources, demonstrating new technologies and increasing the infrastructure necessary to escalate renewal be energy use in existing state programs.

IEDP provides technical training and educational information on Texas renewable energy resources. The program funds solar, wind and biomass demonstration projects throughout Texas, and sponsors conferences, workshops and educational efforts that motivate Texans to use and promote all renewable energy systems in their communities. IEDP initiatives are geared to offset and replace traditional methods of energy generation and consumption throughout Texas. The success of these initiatives directly impacts the state's economic development and its citizens' quality of life.

Global Renewable Energy

Renewable energy use is growing much faster than 10% per year throughout the world, according to a new report from the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century. Excluding large hydropower, the global electric generating capacity of renewable energy facilities reached 237 gigawatts (GW) in 2007, up 15% from last year. That's about 5.5% of the electric generating capacity throughout the world.

Texas Renewable Energy Resources

Texas has tremendous renewable energy potential. We must ensure that wind power and other renewable energy sources are a part of our future energy mix. In addition, the growth of the renewable energy industry has a demonstrated track record of bringing more jobs to Texas. Railroad Commission Chairman Victor Carrillo, 2005

Due to its vast size and diverse climate, Texas ranks first in the nation for its renewable energy resources, with a realistic potential to harness its these resources to meet most of the state’s energy needs. A recent University of Tennessee Department of Agricultural Economics study shows that Texas will top all states in renewable fuel production and will reap significant economic benefits in the process.

As agriculture and farm producers, transportation providers, electricity providers and consumers look for ways to cope with high, fluctuating energy costs they are also looking at ways that they might generate some of their own power using wind turbines, solar electric generators, anaerobic digesters, biomass energy systems, geothermal systems and biofuels. The key lies in developing technologies that can tap these resources affordably and reliably as well as setting up a regulatory and incentive structure that makes such investments viable. Such technologies are now commercially available, assisted by the Texas landmark legislation that includes a Renewable Portfolio Standard which has prompted the renewable energy industry to rapidly accelerate its renewable energy production on Texas sites.

	Texas has more renewable energy potential than any other state.
	Texas is beginning to shift focus to its vast renewable and clean energy resources.
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Texas: At an Energy Crossroads

Texas is the largest producer of wind power in the nation and also holds vast untapped energy sources such as solar, wave and biomass. In addition, Texas’ nationally recognized colleges and universities throughout the state are ideal to serve as leading research institutions for alternative energy. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison , 2007

Black Gold

Ever since the first oil well gushed forth in East Texas in 1866, Texas has been renowned for its "black gold." An oil-related economy developed around subsequent oil discoveries as the state prospered with its flourishing petroleum industry. Throughout most of the first half of the century, oil was plentiful, prices were low, and at mid-century, Texas was the dominant producer in the world oil market, producing more oil than the entire output of the Middle East. From its oil and gas revenues, the state has collected billions of dollars in taxes that have built some of the nation's best roads, schools and infrastructure.

Crossroads

Until 1972 it seemed that Texas oil would never run out, but in that year Texas oil production peaked and began a decline in both reserves and production until, today, Texas has become a net energy importer. With uncanny timing, the OPEC oil embargo hit in 1973. Concurrent with the oil decline, Americans were witnessing long lines of cars waiting to fill up at shocking gasoline prices. It was a major turning point in the world oil market — and a wake-up call. Along with the rest of the nation, Texas is taking a hard look at its energy scenario in terms of developing a stable, clean and plentiful energy future. Texas is at a crossroads wherein development of vast in-state renewable energy sources, coupled with energy efficiency measures, offer Texans the chance to redirect their focus in order to regain and maintain their energy independence.

For nearly a century, Texas has been a leader in the world's energy industry. Today, Texas has the opportunity to become a leader in the global market for renewables. As the nation's top crude oil producer and one of the major energy production and consumption centers in the world, Texas has an extensive energy infrastructure already in place.

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Texas Energy Infrastructure — Making the Switch

Already equipped with expertise and resources in the area of energy production, Texas can recapture its former energy independence by shifting focus to renewable energy.

Texans have a rich and colorful past in mining nature's energy resources, of seizing the moment when opportunity is promising but uncertain. Wildcatters were after oil, they knew it was there, but where exactly? They risked everything to find a "wildcat," an oil gusher as yet unexplored and unclaimed. What began with wildcatter foresight ended with the Texas oil boom. The early Texas oil fields served as fertile ground for the growth of numerous support industries. In many cases, members of these fledgling groups have come to be recognized as the world's most knowledgeable and capable experts in their fields. As the renewable energy industry expands, the expertise of these support industries is being tapped to provide the support and infrastructure needed for the advancement of renewable energy production in the state. Declining Costs of Renewable Energy The cost of energy from renewable technologies has steadily declined in the past quarter century. As an example, the cost of wind energy has declined from about 30-45 cents per kilowatt-hour in 1980 to less than 5 cents today. Wind, solar, geothermal and biomass energy production have all seen impressive advancements in technologies with significant drops in cost.   It makes economic sense for Texas to tap into its vast renewable reserves. With new technologies and declining costs, renewable energy sources are becoming more competitive with fossil fuels. Rene able Energy Cost Trends This DOE PowerPoint presentation shows historical renewable energy cost trends with projections through 2020.

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