Electricity

Electricity production is a dirty business. Power plants are the largest industrial source of air pollution, emitting two-thirds of all soot- forming sulfur dioxide, 40 percent of the carbon dioxide, 34 percent of the mercury, and at least a quarter of the nitrogen oxide in the United States.[i]

Texas currently produces 49 percent of its energy from natural gas, 38 percent from coal and lignite, 11 percent from nuclear sources, and less than 1 percent from renewables, primarily wind.[ii]

Recent Progress

Deregulation

Starting January 1, 2002, Texans will be able to choose their electricity providers. Some environmentalists see energy deregulation as an opportunity for renewable energy to reach the market, while others worry that competition will encourage the least expensive methods of power generation – regardless of environmental impact – and stymie conservation efforts.

Energy deregulation could boost the use of renewables in several ways. First, the deregulation bill passed by the Texas legislature in 1999, Senate Bill 7, requires retail electric providers to buy an additional combined 2,000 megawatts of Texas renewable electric generation capacity by January 2009. Currently, there are only 2,500 megawatts of non-hydro renewable electricity being produced in the entire United States, according to Environmental Defense. Deregulation also gives the public the power to choose green electricity.

Conversely, fierce competition may push providers to seek the cheapest source of electricity available – often the older, high-polluting coal-fired plants. To alleviate some – but not all - of this problem, Senate Bill 7 requires “grandfathered” power plants, those that predate the 1971 Texas Clean Air Act, to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 50% and sulfur dioxide emissions by 25% before May 1, 2003. Some environmentalists are also concerned that competition will stand in the way of conservation. A utility makes money by selling more electricity and has little motivation to voluntarily advocate conservation measures.

Wind Power

Wind turbines are sprouting up all over west Texas. State laws that promote renewable energy, improved technology, and increased natural gas prices have all contributed to the boom in Texas’ wind business. As of July 2001, the state had almost 200 megawatts of wind power capacity with an additional 900 megawatts planned, according to the American Wind Energy Association.

Fuel Cells

Across the country, individuals and businesses are experimenting with fuel cells, which combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, heat, and water. Although many fuel cells glean hydrogen from petrochemicals, the electricity comes from an electrochemical reaction rather than combustion so emissions are minimal.

The Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) is working to test and evaluate fuel cell technologies in the region. HARC provided technical expertise to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission to develop a 3-kilowat fuel cell that powers air monitoring equipment in Austin. They are currently developing larger local test projects at the Port of Houston and Bush Intercontinental Airport.

What You Can Do

Buy Green Electricity

Currently, the only provider that offers electricity from renewable sources is Green Mountain Energy. Their product in Texas is 100 percent wind power, delivered to homes and businesses for a small premium. To sign up for their services, visit www.greenmountain.com. To find out when more green energy companies come online, visit www.powertochoose.org.

Conserve

Powering down the air conditioner, replacing conventional light bulbs with compact fluorescents, and running the dishwasher and washing machine only when full will all help reduce the pollution associated with energy production.

This section was taken from the State of the Environment 2002, the introduction to the 2002 Environmental Resource Guide, produced by the Citizens' Environmental Coalition (CEC). The above statements do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CEC, its trustees, officers, or staff.