The winds of change are blowing through Texas-both literally and figuratively.
Home to both vast repositories of conventional and shale oil , the Lone Star State is also a major player in wind power, a new twist on the U.S. energy independence narrative. However improbable, the nation's second largest state has been ground zero for a quiet renewable energy revolution.
Texas has invested about $7 billion in a sprawling wind power network that spans nearly 4,000 miles. Wind power generates more than 12,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity for the state, according to the Texas' Public Utilities Commission, The state ranks first in the country for total MW of wind power capacity. Earlier this year, the state smashed a U.S. record for the most power generated from air power.
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A combination of public subsidies, new federal carbon regulations and private investment has made Texas "one of the fastest growing hubs in the world for wind energy," said Matthew Senicola, registered representative of JHS Capital Advisors. "Texas has one of the largest electricity consumption rates in the U.S. mainly derived from their exploding energy and production sector," he added.
In fact, wind plants have been a staple of Texas' electric supply since at least 1995, a function of the state's climate and the massive amounts of electricity it consumes. Overall, the sector has created more than 8,000 jobs nationwide-most of them in the Lone Star State, according to data from the American Wind Energy Association.
Traditionally, alternative energy projects have benefited mostly from generous public investment, including direct subsidies and tax incentives. However, sectors like solar energy have slowly attracted more private investment, which some say charts a potential path for wind's growth.
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Air-powered electricity remains a staple of oil and gas giant BP, as part of what the wind energy association says is more than $23 billion invested in the state's wind sector.
Although the energy company decided last year to divest most of its renewable properties, it still maintains wind power properties worth more than $1 billion, a BP spokesman told CNBC. Of the 16 wind farms across the U.S. that produce about 2,600 MW of electricity, four BP assets are located in Texas.
Should read divested of MOST renewable properties. They still maintain 4 wind farms totaling $1 billion in investment. Thanks