Regarding an Oct. 24 brief, "PUC set to raise cap on electricity prices": Late in October, the Public Utility Commission members did decide to double the price of electricity, supposedly to curtail blackouts.
At the same time, they remained inert on fulfilling the state-mandated amount of 500 megawatts of nonwind energy by 2015. This is a double whammy for Texas energy consumers that shows an utter lack of forward thinking.Texas is facing three extreme energy problems: Demand is increasing, prices are going up, and we're running out of water. Solar energy is the logical answer.Texas has a higher capacity for solar energy than any other state because of our intense sun exposure and flat, available land.Solar provides the most power at the hottest point in the day, when Texans want to crank up the air conditioning, and it requires no water beyond that used to refresh those who install and maintain the panels. And its pollution-free generation makes Texas a nicer place to live.In the face of all this, the PUC has failed to move solar to the forefront of energy development. It needs to make hay (and energy) while the sun is shining.-- Whitney Allen, Red OakHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
