Introducing Powering Texans: A New Texas Trade Association Dedicated to a Free and Competitive Energy Market
Austin, Texas — Texas is experiencing unprecedented population growth, a surge in businesses relocating to the Lone Star State, and continued electrification, making the need for reliable, efficient, and affordable power generation more important than ever. Given the strong customer preference for competitive market solutions, and in recognition of the growing energy infrastructure needs to ensure Texas remains at the forefront, a group of industry leaders has announced the formation of a new organization: Powering Texans.
Powering Texans is a new trade association dedicated to advocating for policies that promote innovation, competition, consumer choice, and reliability in the Texas energy sector. By keeping the energy market free and open, Powering Texans will advance policies that will bring about a strong and reliable grid for all Texas communities through a competitive market construct that promotes investment and spurs innovation. Through advocacy and education, the association will seek to shape energy policy and safeguard the interests of consumers and businesses alike.
Powering Texans was formed by power generation industry leaders Calpine, Constellation, NRG, and Vistra with the unified mission of educating the Texas Legislature on the need to preserve a competitive power generation landscape to strengthen the Texas grid. This work will be complementary to the good efforts of other associations to advance positive policy outcomes that will help deliver more affordable and reliable power for all Texas communities.
Walt Baum, formerly president of the Texas Cable Association, brings his extensive expertise in policy and energy matters to serve as chief executive officer of Powering Texans. With a robust background that includes serving as executive director of the Texas Public Power Association and holding key positions in energy-focused organizations, Baum is well-equipped to launch and lead Powering Texans.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this association and back working with these dynamic companies to advance policies that will enhance reliable and affordable power generation to serve all Texas communities,” Baum said. “The electric grid is the backbone of the Texas economic miracle, and I look forward to working to encourage more investment and competition in the electric generation market.”
Industry leaders involved in the creation of Powering Texans hailed the formation of the new trade association:
“As a strong supporter of competition and free markets, Calpine is proud to be a founding member of this new trade association,” said Calpine CEO Thad Hill. “We are thankful that our state leaders appreciate and recognize the benefits of a successful competitive market and we have great confidence in the ability of the Texas PUC and ERCOT to administer and implement the market improvements currently before them. We know that Walt shares our belief that competitive markets yield better outcomes than central planning.”
“As the nation’s largest provider of emissions-free, reliable power, Constellation is pleased to support Powering Texans in its mission to advocate for policies that will create a strong and competitive environment for power generators to invest in new and existing technologies to meet the state’s growing electricity demand,” said Constellation President and CEO Joe Dominguez. “Here in Texas and across the country, the most important thing we can do to drive economic growth and improve quality of life is to create a more reliable, resilient and sustainable electric grid.”
“Competitive power markets have been critical to the remarkable economic growth of Texas,” said Larry Coben, NRG Chair, Interim President, and Chief Executive Officer. “With record electricity demand forecasted for coming years, Powering Texans will help ensure the supply of reliable and reasonably priced electricity to meet the needs of all Texans and enable them to thrive.”
“Texas has an enviable problem – people and businesses are flocking here. That growth means demand for electricity is growing as well. It is imperative that the right policies are in place so that the $40-billion electricity industry can meet that demand for years to come,” said Vistra CEO Jim Burke. “With a seasoned executive like Walt leading this new trade association, I’m confident he’ll advocate for what’s needed for our Texas businesses and consumers while being a source of timely and important information about our industry for elected officials.”
To learn more, visit: http://www.poweringtexans.com/
ABOUT POWERING TEXANS
Powering Texans advocates for free market policies and principles within the Texas energy landscape, and promotes the general welfare of all Texans. By keeping the energy market free from excessive government control, we seek to promote investment, encourage competition, and deliver a stronger grid for Texans, their businesses, and their families.
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