 -By Logan Hawkes - Lost Planet Media
Wind. It's the cooling element that brings us relief from the hot Texas sun. It carries the clouds that bring us rain, rustles and exercises the growing things of Texas, bringing them vibrance and sustainability. Wind. It rustles the West Texas dust; it blows the spores and pollens that perpetuate microbial life. And causes most of us to sneeze.
Wind. It flies our flags and dries our clothes and, soon, powers our homes; our cities and towns; our state.
According to the most recent study of wind power in America, Texas has replaced California as the number one producer and user of wind-powered energy. And, if the Texas General Land Office knows what they're talking about, it's just getting started.
While the idea is not a new one, recent technological breakthroughs have changed the face of wind-powered energy generation. The new prototype models of wind generators -- giant wind mills that sometimes loom as tall as skyscrapers -- are providing a more efficient way to turn the turbines that produce the electrical juices that powers our cities. And at a graduated rate.
Texas ’s cumulative wind-powered electricity generation now stands at 2,370 MW of capacity each year -- enough to power over 600,000 average American homes. And with the higher and ever-increasing costs of petroleum and coal, wind power is getting more affordable. It is estimated that by 2010, new utility-scale wind-driven power plants will generate energy much more cost-effectively than new coal or gas-fired power plants.
Advances in wind technology are driving down the cost of wind to close to five cents per kilowatt-hour. And because wind turbines can now generate power from lower wind speeds, the market is opening to areas previously thought unsuited to the technology. The day may soon come when the average Texas home comes equipped with its own wind-generation system.
But what does this has to do with travel and tourism?
Actually a lot. For one, as demand for energy goes up as resources dwindle, the entertainment and travel industries may be the first to feel the crunch. A government study recently indicated that hotel air-conditioning and heating systems and electronic signs (like the famous signs of the Las Vegas Strip) are taxing the power grid more and more each year. The study suggests that the recent blackouts in California could be avoided if less electricity was used by travel and entertainment businesses.
While no one is talking seriously about rationing energy to any particular sector of the U.S. business world, proponents of wind energy are embracing the idea that wind power can soon make up the difference in supply and demand.
 While clean energy development is an appealing idea, there are skeptics to the idea of constructing large wind generators up and down the Texas coastline. Plans have been laid to construct the largest ever offshore wind generation system just south of Baffin Bay.
The multimillion dollar agreement from the Texas Land Office's "Texas wind rush" grants project developer Superior Renewable Energy (SRE) the rights to 39,900 acres of submerged lands in the Gulf of Mexico
According to the Renewable Energy Access Web site, SRE is an independent renewable energy company formed in 2002 to engage in the development of large-scale wind power generation projects. The company plans to build a 500 megawatt (MW) wind farm that will generate enough power to satisfy a small city, or about 125,000 homes.
"This lease is the biggest in the country -- what else would you expect from Texas? Anyone paying high energy costs understands the importance of what we're doing here today," said Jerry Patterson, Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office.
The lease provides SRE a four-year period for research, after which the company will begin construction of enough turbines to produce a minimum of 250 MW of electricity. SRE plans to expand the offshore wind farm to 500 MW or more. Under the lease, SRE is allowed to assess Texas coastal winds, develop a production plan and construct the wind farm -- all with its own money.
Environmentalists have voiced concern over the project because it is directly in the flight path of migratory birds. Others have argued that if developed without control, wind projects could dominate the Gulf skyline, effectively changing the seascape to one of industrial development that could rival the environmental and aesthetic drawbacks of offshore petroleum drilling sites.
On the opposite side of the issue, wind energy proponents say they might be able to utilize some of the abandoned offshore drilling platforms and convert them to wind generation system.
 Off shore wind energy development isn't being expanded only on the wind-rich Gulf coast. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) invested in the state's first commercial scale wind project back in 1995. It now purchases 116 megawatts (MW) of wind power capacity from three West Texas wind farms. They include:
 Texas Wind Power Project Begun in 1995, the Texas Wind Power Project in Culberson County provides 35 MW of wind power capacity to LCRA. LCRA sells 10 MW from the project to the City of Austin. FPL Energy operates the facility.
Delaware Mountain Wind Farm
In 1999, the Delaware Mountain Wind Farm began operations near the Texas Wind Power Project. LCRA, with a commitment to buy 30 MW of capacity, now is the only purchaser from this facility. This wind farm was developed by National Wind Power and now is owned by FPL Energy.
Indian Mesa Wind Farm
In 2001, LCRA more than doubled its wind power portfolio from Indian Mesa Wind Energy Center began operations in Pecos County. By committing to buying up to 51 MW of capacity from Indian Mesa. It was developed by National Wind Power and is now owned by FPL Energy.
While the day that every residential home in Texas will come with its own wind power system may still be a few years away, Texas, while known for its petroleum resources, is leading the way in developing wind power as a healthy alternative.
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