Texas City Commits to 100% Green Energy

Oil-rich Texas has long been known as the biggest consumer of energy in the United States, as well as the state responsible for producing the most crude oil – and along with it, harmful emissions. The dubious practice of fracking was born in Denton, a small town in Texas, and has transformed the fortunes of the state and the country.

However, recently, a link between water pollution and fracking was proved in several states, including Texas. Though it has transformed the economic fortunes of the country, it has cast aspersions on its ecological future prospects, with many people (including residents of its birthplace in Denton) calling for an outright ban on fracking, and a move towards greener energy production methods.   

One city in Texas has decided to do just that by committing itself to 100% renewable energy production and consumption by 2017… although not for environmental reasons. If not, why?

Georgetown Sets a Trend

The small city of Georgetown, which boasts a modest population of about 50,000 people, sits about 25 miles north of Austin. Unlike its larger brother further south, Georgetown is a traditionally conservative place, with over 40% of its residents being more than 50 years of age. The decision to switch to green energy is not based on ecological reasons, but economical ones. In the words of the current city manager of Georgetown Jim Briggs, “I’m probably the furthest thing from an Al Gore clone you could find. We didn’t do this to save the world – we did this to get a competitive rate and reduce the risk for our consumers.”

Quite simply, it comes down to economics. The city utility company, which has a monopoly on energy production and retail in Georgetown, came across the startling discovery that renewables actually worked out to be cheaper than traditional methods of generating energy. Generous government grants and subsidies for renewable energy schemes, coupled with falling prices of solar panels due to Chinese mass-production, have meant that renewable works out cheaper for a city the size of, and with the climate of, Georgetown.

The foundations for the shift were laid last year when the city signed a contract with EDF for wind farming which is to last for 20 years, based out of Amarillo. Now, a deal which will begin in either late 2016 or early 2017 and last until 2041 has been hammered out with solar energy giants SunEdison, which will guarantee the city 150 megawatts of solar power for the duration. Because of this, the city will be powered entirely by renewables from January 2017.

An Encouraging Leap Following a Gradual Build-up

Although this final dedication to green energy has apparently not been motivated by environmental concerns, the shift has been coming gradually. Worries that fracking has caused water pollution and earthquakes have led to a decrease in its popularity, while depleting reserves of accessible oil and gas have led companies to look for ways to clean up their act over the last few years.

In Texas alone, wastewater treatment has been a large target for environmental reform. In 2013, advanced water treatment technology helped one power plant in Rusk County curb its cost and pollution in one fell swoop. Meanwhile, the very same year, the fracking operations of Texas’ Eagle Ford shale reserves underwent a comprehensive recycling programme in an attempt to turn the state’s reputation for pollution on its head.

Now, Georgetown have taken the biggest leap of faith to date in embracing renewable energy… whether other parts of Texas, the States and the world at large follow, remains to be seen.