One of the bigger campaign promises from President Trump in his run for office was to unleash American energy. Doing so by reviving coal production, and expanding oil and gas production, as well as expanding nuclear energy. The other part was getting rid of the ridiculous red tape and regulations in the energy industry, allowing it to grow. The last part of that is cutting back on the push for renewable energy for more reliable forms of power.
That is not to say some renewables do not have their place in energy. Solar and wind have their roles in production and will for the future. But ramping back up fossil fuel production and expanding nuclear power is critical for a growing U.S. population, and Texas. Especially as more manufacturing work returns to the United States under Trump's economic agenda.
Of course, Democrats are vehemently against this, because they think green energy is going to somehow save the planet. They think this move by Trump will not only hurt the planet but upend the Texas power grid. However, this push back toward other forms of energy will actually help in the long run.
David Holt of the Consumer Energy Alliance says this move to things like nuclear power and natural gas are critical for Texas.
"The Texas grid needs more of what is called baseload power...that is power which is always available and can peak up whenever you need it," he says. "Renewable power is largely intermittent."
Solar power, for example, will struggle to produce if there are multiple days of rain or cloud cover. If the panels are damaged, that can cause down time, and less production. Wind energy is similar.
We use energy every single day. Electricity, gas, oil, you name it, Americans interact with it every single day. So, we need more reliable forms of power, but there also has to be a fine balance between old energy and new energy. That is what keeps the grid reliable and stable.
Especially as the aforementioned new investments, manufacturing, and technology sector come to Texas.
"One of the big issues is AI and data centers...we are going to need nationally and in Texas as much as 12 to 15 percent more electricity in the next two or three years...and as much as 40 or 50 percent more electricity by 2040," says Holt.
Economically as well, going all green energy is incredibly expensive. That cost then gets passed onto the consumers, which has been seen in places like California.
So, this move to pull back on that renewable energy mentality saves Texans both energy wise, and money wise.
"Some of these other states where energy prices are going through the roof and becoming less reliable...that needs to be a big concern...I think Texas is taking all the steps it can to make sure it does not happen here," Holt says.
It is all about finding the balance between old energy and new energy. If we can find that, the Texas grid will be in good shape for years to come.
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