TED Tech How Texas became America’s biggest producer of wind energy
Oct 10, 2025
Pat Wood, former chair of the Texas Public Utility Commission, shares his remarkable journey transforming Texas into the nation's leading wind energy producer. He recounts Governor George W. Bush's pivotal support for wind energy, the innovative 1999 Renewable Portfolio Standard, and how proactive public support shaped policy. Wood highlights the $7 billion transmission investment that connected wind-rich areas to markets. His insights reveal how economics, rather than politics, can drive renewable energy success, offering lessons for states across the country.
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Grew Up Inside The Energy World
- Pat Wood grew up in Port Arthur with a grandfather who ran a Gulf Oil refinery and a childhood steeped in the energy industry.
- His early experiences made energy a personal, almost cultural, part of his identity and perspective.
Public Deliberation Shifted Preferences
- Deliberative polling educated a cross-section of Texans and revealed strong public support for renewables and conservation.
- That informed public mandate steered policy because citizens preferred informed decision-making over partisan noise.
A Smoker's Plea For Cleaner Air
- After a deliberative poll session, Pat remembers 'Jim' the smoker saying, 'we got to clean up the goddamn air.'
- That candid moment captured grassroots support for renewables across unexpected demographics.
