Texas outpaces California in renewable energy growth

Texas has become the leading state in renewable energy generation, surpassing California due to its easier infrastructure development process.

Jerusalem Demsas reports for The Atlantic.

In short:

• Texas installed more solar power capacity than California, with 18,000 megawatts compared to California's 17,000.
• In 2022, Texas generated over 130,000 gigawatt-hours of wind and solar electricity, more than double California’s output.
• Texas's culture and regulatory environment, which favor infrastructure projects, contribute to its success in renewable energy.

Key quote:

Texas "is the energy capital of America ... with a mentality and footing designed to build and extract energy and make money."

— Jesse Jenkins, professor at Princeton University

Why this matters:

Texas’s success suggests that easing infrastructure regulations could accelerate renewable energy projects nationwide. Without such changes, the clean-energy transition may stall, jeopardizing climate goals.