Texas grid thrives on renewables as Trump targets clean energy subsidies
President Trump is rolling back federal support for wind and solar power, but data from Texas — home to the nation’s most renewable-heavy grid — shows lower prices and fewer outages than fossil-fuel-heavy regions.
Tim McLaughlin reports for Reuters.
In short:
- The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) projects only a 0.30% chance of rolling blackouts in August 2025, down from 12% a year earlier, thanks to expanded battery storage and solar capacity.
- Texas residential electricity prices are 24% below the national average, while fossil-fuel-dependent grids like PJM are experiencing rising prices and worsening reliability.
- President Trump signed legislation eliminating most federal subsidies for renewable energy and ordered agencies to roll back support, citing cost and reliability concerns not supported by Texas data.
Key quote:
“ERCOT has done a good job of defining the products needed for energy and reliability.”
— Joshua Rhodes, research scientist at the University of Texas, Austin
Why this matters:
As demand surges from electric vehicles, data centers, and extreme weather, the way the grid is powered becomes a public health issue. Texas, long a symbol of fossil fuel dominance, has emerged as a case study in managing renewables effectively. With battery storage soaking up extra solar and wind energy for use during peak times, the state’s experience suggests renewables can stabilize the grid, not strain it. Meanwhile, fossil-heavy grids like PJM face steeper prices and more frequent outages, raising questions about which energy mix best serves consumers and the environment.
Related: Texas outpaces California in renewable energy growth
