 "Photo: Paul Chouy")
Members of the Governor's Competitiveness Council announced in Austin Wednesday a long-term plan for Texas focusing on introducing more energy-efficient practices and maintaining an economic edge for the state.
The plan involves the use of nuclear and renewable energy sources with competitive prices as well as opening a broader range of communication between all levels of energy production in Texas.
"It is a broad but specific [plan] - bold but practical," said Barry Smitherman, chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Smitherman said while presenting the plan that Texas' population growth rate is equal to that of some developing countries, creating a high demand for energy that supplies are not capable of providing. By 2028, Texas will need 50 to 70 additional gigawatts of generator capacity in addition to wattage produced by current generators, he said,
Gov. Rick Perry created the council in 2007 to monitor and maintain Texas' economy. The council is composed of members from various state governmental agencies, such as the Texas Railroad Commission and the Texas Workforce Commission.
The council said it wishes to build more nuclear power plants in the near future and develop solar energy technologies, Smitherman said.
"Solar's time is coming," Smitherman said. "It's where wind was a few years ago."
Under the plan, the existing sales tax exemption for solar and wind energies will remain, Smitherman said. The council will also explore lignite coal, which is used as fuel for steam-electric power, as an energy resource.
The biggest question in energy growth is storage, Smitherman said.
The council is offering an unspecified prize to someone who can find an efficient way to store energy, he said.
The plan also addresses distributing energy to homes across the state and standardizing communication on energy, from how it is harnessed to how it is stored.
The Daily Texan reported in July that Austin Energy is currently working with contractors to distribute energy across the state from West Texas windmills. Although windmills produce one-third the energy of a traditional nuclear plant, Texas' climate provides enough wind to power the entire state, said Ronald Matthews, a mechanical engineering professor, in the report.
Gray Mayes, director of public affairs at Texas Instruments Inc. and member of the council, also presented a report of general council recommendations to the governor that focused on talent development, innovation, infrastructure, resources and governance in order to keep businesses competitive.
"We want to prepare for jobs in the global economy for future prosperity," Mayes said.
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