Texas has become the leading state in renewable energy generation, surpassing California due to its easier infrastructure development process.
Jerusalem Demsas reports for The Atlantic.
In short:
- Texas installed more solar power capacity than California, with 18,000 megawatts compared to California's 17,000.
- In 2022, Texas generated over 130,000 gigawatt-hours of wind and solar electricity, more than double California’s output.
- Texas's culture and regulatory environment, which favor infrastructure projects, contribute to its success in renewable energy.
Key quote:
Texas "is the energy capital of America ... with a mentality and footing designed to build and extract energy and make money."
— Jesse Jenkins, professor at Princeton University
Why this matters:
Texas’s success suggests that easing infrastructure regulations could accelerate renewable energy projects nationwide. Without such changes, the clean-energy transition may stall, jeopardizing climate goals.
