An Energy Vision for a Prosperous Texas

“Energy is essential to the economic activity that sustains and improves the quality of life. Affordable and reliable energy are important for economic growth. Economic growth leads to prosperity, jobs, higher wages and new and exciting consumer products. And it is economic growth that funds clean, renewable and sustainable energy research, innovation and investments.”
Chairman Michael Williams

“No single, easy solution can solve the world’s energy challenges. The world will need all the economic, environmentally responsible energy sources that can be found to support and sustain prosperity in the coming decades.”
Hard Truths: A Report of the National Petroleum Council

Texas, because of our size and affluence is the nation’s largest consumer of energy. Most of this energy is used to generate electricity and for transportation. To fuel the power sector, Texas uses a range of energy sources. But chief among these is natural gas. That contrasts with the rest of the country, which relies mostly on coal. Additional natural gas is needed as feedstock for industrial plants and to heat our homes and buildings. The transportation sector currently relies almost exclusively on petroleum, with about 60% of it coming from foreign sources.

Texas is the nation’s leading petroleum and natural gas producer and fifth producer of coal, with reserves estimated to last more than 200 years. However, Texas oil production has been declining since the 1970s and, although Texas natural gas production is quite robust, rising natural gas prices have increased electricity and heating bills and the costs of natural gas products like fertilizer and plastics.

Develop pro-growth clean electricity solutions

“Innovation and free markets are the best roads to clean air and CO2 reductions. Wrong-headed policies will increase energy-related costs, slow our economy and tie our hands in the competition with China and India.”
Chairman Michael Williams

Continue strong Texas natural gas production; expand LNG imports
Encourage research, innovation and investment in zero emission and CO2 management strategies for Texas lignite, Powder River Basin coal and petcoke as power generation fuels
Establish the legal and regulatory framework to enable carbon capture and storage
Expand the use of clean coal, wind, solar and nuclear power

Accelerate the development of a Texas alternative transportation fuels market

“Oil will fuel our cars, trucks, buses and tractors for a long-time to come. Yet, there are national security, economic and environmental reasons to develop alternative and sustainable transportation fuels.”
Chairman Michael Williams

Moderate the decline in Texas oil production
Transform state and local government fleets
Encourage private fleet and individual consumer alternative fuel vehicle purchases
Facilitate the development of alternative transportation fuel infrastructure

Renew our focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics in Texas classrooms

“More than half of Texas energy professionals are eligible to retire within the next ten years, many as early as five years. We need a whole new generation of energy innovators.”
Chairman Michael Williams

Inspire more students to prepare for science, technology, engineering and math careers
Foster applied research, development and demonstration opportunities in such areas as enhanced oil recovery (EOR), biofuels, clean coal, coal-to-liquids, natural gas feedstock alternatives and carbon capture and sequestration