Energy

Energy in Texas is on the decline compared with past production, but Houston continues to be a large consumer and producer of energy and a leader in the fossil-fuel industry worldwide.

Houston’s position as an energy producer continues to affect the environment and public health. The coal-powered plants west of Houston are among some of the nation’s worst air polluters. The use of gasoline- and diesel-burning vehicles contributes significantly to Houston’s air problems. Scientists are concerned that the increasing use of fossil fuels is accelerating global warming.

Increases in gas prices and fuel production costs have resulted in increased direct energy costs for households. Rising fuel prices are also affecting the price of food as the cost of transporting food over long distances increases (see Agriculture for more information). Experts say we are reaching peak levels of petroleumbased fuel production here and abroad and that, as world demand increases, we are looking at significant petroleum shortages. Coupled with high critical levels of oil dependence, modern energy uses cannot be sustained. Yet another worry is energy security.

Green Power

Green power is energy produced by methods that have fewer detrimental effects on air quality and people’s health. The law deregulating energy companies in Texas was written to make alternatives such as green power more available. Most Texas customers now have an option of switching to a supplier of green power. Green Mountain Energy is one such provider in Texas, offering power supplied by a combination of wind turbines and hydroelectric plants, at competitive rates, or somewhat more expensive 100 percent wind power. The Public Utility Commission provides information about energy alternatives at www.powertochoose.org.

Government incentives

Because alternative and renewable energy sources often cost slightly more than conventional sources, it is difficult for emerging environmentally friendly providers to compete with established companies such as Reliant. Some government incentives and programs have helped, however. Many clean and renewable energy options have been developed and are ready for widespread use. Recent growth in the wind industry is one indication of such incentives. Deregulation in Houston has created new opportunities for consumers to find alternative energy sources, such as wind and solar power. Created markets, however, have not been successfully targeted, and alternative sources still remain mostly unknown to consumers in the region. Government incentives to promote alternative sources are erratically applied and therefore not always beneficial, being abundant one moment but scarce the next.

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