Senator John Cornyn

Several studies show Texas as having the most potential of any state for wind energy. 

For a number of reasons, already Texas has more wind-powered electricity than any other state in the nation.  In 2007 alone, Texas added 1,600 megawatts of new wind capacity and by May 2008 the total installed wind capacity in the state exceeded 5000MW.  As much as 10,000 additional megawatts may be going and blowing by 2009 with another 45,000 megawatts in some phase of the planning process.  Whether all of that generation gets built, we'll just have to wait and see.

That's the good news.  The bad news is wind is fickle.  It blows when it wants which may not be during high demand periods.  Also the West Texas sweet spot for wind generation is miles and miles from the high population areas that need the power.  

Just imagine pumping compressed-air energy into mature Permian Basin oil fields during off-peak hours and extracting it when necessary.  Sounds futuristic.   It is.  But it is the heart of a proposal for the upcoming legislative session - that Texas establish a public-private innovation prize for the commercialization of a large-scale project to store off-peak hour energy.

On another note.  Has anyone noticed the recent dip in crude oil prices following President Bush's decision to revoke the executive order prohibiting drilling in the outer continental shelf?  Now Congress needs to revokes its own prohibition.  Then both should get the OCS bid process moving.  The sooner they start. The sooner we'll have new crude oil reserves.  And the sooner the markets will know there will be new supplies of oil in the out years. 

Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Michael Williams joins the energy conversation with a video below:

Please leave us your thoughts in the comment section

This afternoon Senator Cornyn will be participating on the Ed Morrissey show which airs from 2-3 CT. He will discuss his recent "energy independence days" effort.

Head to this post for more information

Senator Cornyn appeared this afternoon on Fox News to speak on the energy issue:

What will it take for Congress to enact comprehensive energy policy that includes increased domestic production of oil and gas, renewable and alternative energy, and conservation? It seems to us outside of the Capital Beltway that virtually every effort to accomplish this is met with criticism and failure.

In my opinion, the debate about energy policy is no longer theoretical or abstract. Our failure to enact an energy policy is having real consequences for every American in their daily lives and has begun to affect America's place in the world. Alaska is ready, willing, and able to assist the nation in addressing our acute and expanding energy needs. Like many other states, we would like the opportunity to help.

Congressional approval of responsible petroleum development in the coastal plain of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) - the most promising unexplored petroleum province in North America - would be of incalculable benefit to my state and our nation.

In the last few weeks, proposals have been tabled to permit oil exploration and development in the 80 percent of the federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)which is off-limits to such activity. I strongly support OCS development in Alaska and elsewhere as a necessary component of a sound energy strategy. However, it makes no sense to consider the OCS and to ignore the possibility of exploration and development in highly perspective upland areas,including ANWR.

As this is written, the Alaska Legislature is considering proposals to commercialize and transport the vast quantities of clean-burning natural gas that are located on the North Slope.

Already, 32 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves have been identified, and many trillions of additional cubic feet are thought to exist on the North Slope and in off shore areas of Alaska.

This gas is important to consumers in the lower 48 states, as prices rise and we are increasingly concerned about the carbon footprint resulting from energy utilization.

If we don't move now to enact an energy policy that includes more oil and gas production from domestic sources, including ANWR and the federal OCS, we may look back someday and realize that we failed to perceive a critical crossroad in the history of this nation. I don't think it's overly dramatic to say that our country's future and the quality of life for every American depends on the decisions that are made or not made in the next few months.

Senator Cornyn recorded a video regarding his thoughts on Newt Gingrich's blog post and the Drill Here message.

Please check out the video below and leave us your comments:

This morning RedState published a guest post written by Senator Cornyn on the energy issue.

Head over here to read it.

A few weeks ago, I was in Texas to address the GOP Convention about the "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less" movement that has swept the nation. We really had no idea, when we first started the petition drive that we would provide the spark that has ignited a fire among frustrated, struggling Americans.

In just over a month, over 1.3 million people called on Congress to "Drill Here, and Drill Now" so that they can Pay Less. The American people have spoken. I commend Sen. Cornyn for listening.

The 1.3 million Americans of all political parties who have signed the petition are appealing to Congress to allow environmentally responsible ways to produce more American energy.

They're not calling for higher taxes on oil companies.

They're not blaming foreigners for our energy problems.

They're not begging the Saudis to sell us more oil.

Through our polling at American Solutions we have long known that a whopping 81 percent of Americans support developing more American energy, including oil and coal. And this 81 percent majority is made up of 85 percent of the Republicans, 83 percent of the independents and 76 percent of the Democrats surveyed.

Texans know intuitively what Washington just doesn't understand: You don't have to be a Republican to be struggling to put gas in your car. Democratic and independent families, commuters and small business owners are hurting too.

Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, if your leaders aren't listening to the clear, expressed will of the people then you have it in your power to change this, to send the message to Washington.

With your help, this Energy Independence Day we will declare our energy independence from foreign dictators.

An America that's independent of other countries for its energy needs is an America that holds a safer and more secure future for our children and grandchildren.

Thanks to Senator Cornyn for his leadership on this important issue.

In light of President Bush's announcement this morning, here's a video of Senator Cornyn discussing offshore drilling.

As the Senator mentions in his video, "we'd love to hear your thoughts." Offshore Drilling...do you believe it can be environmentally friendly? Do you stand with the Senator's position?

I wanted to share some great news from the White House this morning regarding energy independence.

Hopefully Sens. Harry Reid, Russ Feingold, Barbara Boxer and the rest of my colleagues in Congress will get the message.

From FOX News:  

Bush to Lift Executive Ban on Offshore Oil Drilling