Wind and solar supply more than 30% of Texas' power, and the state is a national leader in renewable energy generation. For decades, the Republican Party has generally backed an "all of the above" approach to energy. Recently, some GOP lawmakers have introduced legislation seen as targeting wind or solar.
Josiah Neeley, a senior fellow at the R Street Institute, said some people see clean energy as a threat to the oil and gas industry. Some conservative lawmakers argue wind and solar are not reliable during Texas' extreme weather. Several bills targeting renewable energy were proposed in last year's legislative session, and Neeley expects more restrictions to be proposed when lawmakers meet next year.
Energy experts said that as Texas' population grows, all energy sources are needed to ease strain on the power grid. David Jenkins, president of Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship, called the trend "energy cancel culture" and said the state needs solar and wind. Jenkins said local and state lawmakers could be following the Trump administration, which tried to cut tax credits for wind and solar projects. A U.S. judge vacated that policy earlier this year. Neeley said wind and solar can also provide income for farmers and ranchers who host turbines or panels on their land.