On August 1, Governor Perry signed TexPIRG-backed legislation into law, requiring that five percent of Texas’ electricity be produced by clean, renewable energy by the year 2015. Already, major energy companies have announced plans to invest millions of dollars into building new wind turbines and other clean energy technologies to meet this requirement.

The adoption of the law follows a multi-year effort by TexPIRG and our allies. Up against the powerful oil and chemical industries, TexPIRG countered their opposition by talking face to face with tens of thousands of Texans, collecting thousands of petition signatures, generating dozens of media stories, convening stakeholders at a clean energy conference, testifying and lobbying the Legislature.

While the final bill fell short of TexPIRG’s goal of 10% renewable energy by 2015 and 20% by 2020, it is an important first step toward growing the renewable energy industry and to fighting global warming. TexPIRG will work to increase the goal even further in upcoming legislative sessions.