In recent years, Texas’s needs for, and problems with, energy have grown significantly. From rolling blackouts threatening neighborhoods to data facilities not having enough electricity to operate, the Lone Star State’s energy issues have many curious about the upsides of alternative energy sources.
Exploring the potential power of offshore wind on the Texas Gulf Coast was the subject of a forum on September 15 in the Waterfront Pavilion conference room. The event was organized by Dr. Jenna Lamphere, Assistant Professor of Sociology. The event hosted 75 attendees and a variety of professionals, including market analysts, wildlife conservationists, and economic experts. Col. Michael Fossum kicked off the event.
Guest speakers presented facts, implications, and benefits of this up-and-coming renewable resource as well as its promising opportunities for TAMUG graduates.
Professionals at the event opened by explaining the necessity Texas has for this alternative energy source.
“It is a necessary market for Texas.” Joshua Owens, executive director of the Galveston Economic Development Partnership, explained. “We don’t have enough energy … Texas cannot happen without this energy source.”
What about the environmental impacts?
While windmill blades have somewhat of a reputation for being harmful to birds, National Audubon Society representative Sam Wojcicki said this reputation “is very overstated.”
“Collisions are exceptionally rare,” Wojcicki said.
Wojcicki explained that most migratory birds are good at avoiding this infrastructure since those that migrate along the coast do so very close to the shoreline far away from the blades.
Speakers emphasized the effect these structures will have on marine life. According to National Wildlife Federation advocate Stacy Ortego, there has been no documentation of harmful effects on marine animals. Instead, said Ortego, developers are going above and beyond to keep wildlife safe.
“There are already many features in place to mitigate harm,” Ortego said. “Bubble curtains are used to mitigate noise pollution, and there are kill switches in place when marine life passes through to cease all operation until the animal has moved on.”
All professionals at the forum agreed offshore wind would have a positive impact on the Galveston environment and is a preferable alternative to natural gas. Many argued that the renewability of this energy source makes it the obvious choice.
“We don’t see this as a green source. We see it as a source for work and a solution,” Ortego said.
“You don’t have to be green, you have to be greedy,” Wojcicki added. “This will happen because it makes no sense for it not to happen.”
Is it economically viable?
The majority of experts argue that all signs point to “yes” on the question of economic viability.
“There is more than enough business here to do this,” said Bill Hanson, Senior Vice President of Great Lakes Dredge and Dock.
Hanson explained that the Houston area has an abundance of industries that would make this energy source economically possible.
“These are good jobs,” Hanson continued. “You can start at 18 making $75,000 in some of these jobs.”
According to Dr. Lamphere, offshore wind energy poses an economic and occupational alternative to the shrinking natural gas industry.
“The natural gas industry has laid off 25 percent of its workforce since 2018,” Lamphere said. “That’s a large swath of their workforce with transferable skills for offshore energy systems.”
What about TAMUG?
In their closing remarks, professionals at the event added that offshore wind would not only grow these jobs, but provide an excellent opportunity for TAMUG students to find careers.
“Most of the students here want to be shipping pilots, who we use and deal with extensively,” said Bill Hanson.
“It’s not just the engineers and technicians who are being impacted, but also those secondary jobs,” said Dr. Lamphere. “Offshore wind is going to grow and affect shipping, ship building, conservation work, and more.”
