Ian Seamans
City Hall Advocate, Environment Texas Research & Policy Center
City Hall Advocate, Environment Texas Research & Policy Center
Media Relations Specialist, The Public Interest Network
State’s overall emissions increased by 3%, per capita emissions decreased by 22%
DALLAS – Texas reduced its emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gasses created by electricity generation by 19% between 2005 and 2022, despite increasing electricity production by more than 32% in the same period, according to new analysis released on Wednesday by Environment America Research and Policy Center, U.S. PIRG Education Fund and Frontier Group.
This analysis comes as Texas continues to break records in renewable energy production, leading the nation in wind power production and is second only to California in solar energy production.
While Texas made significant progress in cutting emissions from the electric power sector, emissions from all other economic sectors increased, making it one of only six states where overall emissions increased during that time period.
“This data shows that clean, renewable energy is not only keeping the lights on, it is replacing aging coal and natural gas polluters at a terrific rate,” said Ian Seamans, city hall advocate with Environment Texas Research and Policy Center. “While we have seen unfortunate emissions increases from industry and transportation, they have been offset by decreased electricity generation emissions thanks to the growth of clean solar and wind energy..”
Nationally, the U.S. reduced its overall greenhouse gas emissions 15% and its per capita emissions by 25%. The report found significant variation in emissions trends by state. The United States has made a commitment to reduce emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030, which means all 50 states will have to step up their emission reduction efforts, particularly given new uncertainty about federal leadership on climate.
Many of the states that saw the largest emissions reductions were those that cut emissions from the power sector, particularly by retiring coal plants. While its emissions from the power sector went down, Texas saw the largest increase in total transportation and industrial emissions, which are both the highest in the nation.
“This analysis shows that retiring dirty coal plants and replacing them with clean energy is a critical first step to protect our environment, ” said Seamans. “Texas needs to lean in to renewable energy so that people can benefit from cleaner air and a safer climate. In the next legislative session, we need our representatives to cut the red tape on rooftop solar and reject efforts to hamstring the incredible growth of clean energy in Texas.”
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Environment Texas Research & Policy Center is dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We work to protect the places we love, advance the environmental values we share, and win real results for our environment. For more information, visit www.EnvironmentTexasCenter.org.