Environment & Energy
In reply to the discussion: PLANET OF THE HUMANS' STREAMING: HOW TO WATCH THE MICHAEL MOORE-PRODUCED DOCUMENTARY ONLINE FOR FREE [View all]Finishline42
(1,162 posts)Texas has their own grid that serves 85% of the state.
Wind farms started being built in West Texas and ERCOT built the transmission lines to get the power to where it can be used. It's pretty much that simple. They have closed most of their coal plants - can't compete. Nuclear can't compete with wind and solar - too expensive. At that Texas has 2 plants with 2 reactors each.
RE: refineries - 48 for Texas and 18 for CA. They are all over the Gulf coast. There is a pipeline system that distributes different products from the refineries to at least Ohio and maybe further.
I've not seen anything in the past that explains why Texas uses so much energy. Was really surprised at that number. Climate is obviously hot and humid for the entire state vs Calif but Southern Calif has 24 million vs Texas 30 million so that doesn't explain it completely.
All the high tech industry in the Bay Area and their server farms have to account for a lot of energy use.