AUSTIN, Texas, US, March 21, 2007.
The state of Texas should develop more wind energy, according to 93% of respondents.
The state is considering options for adding electrical capacity to meet consumer demand and 86% support development, notes a survey of 809 voters conducted in January by Promark Research of Houston. Wind energy should be a part of the state’s power portfolio according to 90%, while 93% support further development of wind energy in the state.
The survey was commissioned by FPL Energy, the state’s largest producer of wind energy. It found that 20% oppose coal as a source of electricity generation and 29% oppose nuclear.
“These survey results clearly indicate that Texans are concerned about their environment and recognize that wind energy is an important part of the state's power generation mix,” says Eric Silagy of FPL. Nearly seven out of ten agree that global warming are a problem in their area and more than half said emissions from power plants are a problem in their area.
“Wind is a clean, renewable source of energy that emits no pollutants into the air or water,” says Silagy. “Although wind power alone cannot meet all the energy needs of Texas consumers, it can and should play a greater role in helping us achieve energy independence and improving the environment.”
Last year, FPL’s eleven windfarms in Texas generated 3.6 million MWh of green power and displaced the emission of 2.3 Mt of carbon dioxide, as well as 5,000 tons of sulphur dioxide and 2,000 tons of nitrogen oxide. To achieve the same carbon reduction, Texas would have to remove half a million cars from its roads.
While 90% of respondents said wind should be part of the state’s overall electricity mix, 6% said no and 4% were unsure or did not respond. Wind was opposed by 1%.
When asked to rate sources of electricity in Texas, 69% said it had very good environmental performance, 17% said good, 8% fair and 1% poor.
FPL Energy is a supplier of wind, solar, hydro, nuclear and natural gas, and is the world’s leader in wind energy, with 49 windfarms operating in 15 states. It is a subsidiary of FPL Group, one of the largest providers of electricity in the U.S. with annual revenues of US$16 billion.
