The Houston Chronicle reports that “the Public Utility Commission of Texas is poised to study whether wind power generators should pick up some transmission costs now borne mostly by consumers statewide.”  

“Texas is the nation’s wind power leader, and PUC Chair Donna Nelson argues it’s time to consider whether those generators are paying their fair share. But wind industry officials say any change to the status quo threatens the future of an industry that has flourished in recent years.”  

“‘If that’s the goal of Texas – to go from the No. 1 state in the country in terms of … being able to generate wind energy, to the back of the pack, she’s doing exactly the right stuff,’ said Steven DeWolf, principal and founder of Dallas-based wind power developer Wind Tex Energy.”  

“The debate comes on the heels of the recent completion of a $7 billion transmission line project designed to connect rural wind power generators in West Texas and the Panhandle to urban centers in the central and eastern portion of Texas.”