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Lyford, TX - May 17, 2023: Industrial energy-producing wind turbines cover hundreds of acres of farmland in Lyford, TX. (Photo by Ben Lowy for The Texas Tribune)
Texas Legislature 2023

Texas power struggle: How the nation’s top wind power state turned against renewable energy.

State lawmakers have pushed bills to support fossil fuel-burning power plants and restrict renewable energy development this legislative session.


State Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, speaks with colleagues on the House floor on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021.
A car moves through a neighborhood in West Austin that is without power on Feb 18, 2021.

Growing threat to fossil fuels

Rural communities welcome renewable projects

Lyford, TX - May 17, 2023: Members of the Lyford high-school football team practice of a new athletic field completely funded by wind turbine tax bonds in Lyford, TX. Industrial energy-producing wind turbines cover hundreds of acres of farmland in Lyford, TX. (Photo by Ben Lowy for The Texas Tribune)
Lyford, TX - May 17, 2023: Lyford CISD superintendent Kristin Brown, has made use of the wind-farm tax incentives to help fund the school system. Industrial energy-producing wind turbines cover hundreds of acres of farmland in Lyford, TX. (Photo by Ben Lowy for The Texas Tribune)
Retired farmer Gary Busse has leased numerous plots of his family farm land for wind turbine placement.
Energy-producing wind turbines cover hundreds of acres of farmland in Willacy County in Texas' Rio Grande Valley.

How much will new laws change the power balance?

Lyford, TX - May 17, 2023: Members of the Lyford high-school baseball team practice of a new athletic field partially funded by wind turbine tax bonds in Lyford, TX. Industrial energy-producing wind turbines cover hundreds of acres of farmland in Lyford, TX. (Photo by Ben Lowy for The Texas Tribune)

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