As renewable energy technology continues to advance and emerge sights like these are becoming more and more commonplace in places like Texas. Wind turbines produce 23.48% of the electricity consumed in Texas, but the leader is by far natural gas. Natural Gas makes up over 44% of the market demand and it produces plenty of good paying jobs throughout the state. In comparison, wind generation creates fewer jobs and many say that is the real reason that Texas remains beholden to the natural gas market. 

But there is an even more concerning number in America's second most populated state. 17% of the state's electricity is produced by coal. Most of the coal burned in Texas is lignite, also known as "brown coal." While there are considerable amounts of wind energy being produced along the Texas coast there are also considerable brown coal deposits not too far away from where the clean energy is being produced. Places such as McMullen and Atascosa counties in South Texas are hot spots for what is to be considered one of the dirtiest and lowest grade coals on the market. Lignite is also commonly used in drilling mud which is also used to extract natural gas. The Texas Coastal Plains have plenty of lignite to spare and the demand is high. 

The Chapman Ranch Wind Farm near Corpus Christi, Texas has 81 operating wind turbines capable of producing 249 megawatts of power. The project came online in 2017 and is made up of Nordex turbines that stand just over 492 feet tall and have a rotor diameter of just over 410 feet. 

Closer to the South Texas city of Kingsville lies the Patriot Wind Project which came online in 2019. It has the capabilities to produce 226 megawatts across its 63 turbines. Vestas turbines are manufactured in Colorado and the company has an American headquarters in Oregon. 

The most common wind turbine seen in Texas and most places in the United States are Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbines (HWATS). 

Despite wind energy having a relative strong foothold in the Lone Star State, there are obstacles to overcome if they are to do their part to reduce the overall carbon footprint. Part of that process will be freeing themselves from the massive coal lobby and the ever present natural gas fixtures that continue to pelt the state legislature. With more wind production planned in the future it seems likely that Texas will remain a leader in wind production despite having to walk a dirty tight rope with its competitors.