AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas is moving forward on the nation's
largest wind-power project.
That's after state regulators gave preliminary approval today to
plans to build billions of dollars worth of new transmission lines.
Those lines would bring wind-generated electricity from wind farms
in gusty West Texas to the state's urban areas.
Texas is already the national leader in wind power. Supporters
of the plan say today's 2-1 vote by the Public Utility Commission
will make the Lone Star State a leader in being able to move all
that energy to the urban areas that need it.
Commissioner Paul Hudson says the state would "add wind than
the 14 states following Texas combined."
Environmentalist and consumer groups called the move a critical
expansion of the "renewable energy superhighway." They predict
it'll spur wind energy projects, create jobs, reduce energy costs
and reduce pollution.
Texas electric customers will bear the cost of the 4.9
billion-dollar plan over the next several years by paying about $4
more per month on their electric bills.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)