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🌱 Trump Hates Wind Power, But Texas Republicans Are Cashing In 💰🤠

Discover how Texas Republicans are embracing wind energy despite Trump's anti-renewable rhetoric. This blog explores the clash between conservative ideology and rural economic realities in America's leading energy state.

Author

Green Glow
May 29, 2025

In the heart of rural Texas, wind turbines dot the landscape like modern-day oil wells. Once symbols of progressive climate policy, these towering machines are now a surprising source of pride—and income—for conservative landowners. Despite former President Donald Trump's vocal disdain for wind energy, many Republican ranchers in Texas are embracing it as a vital economic lifeline.

This unexpected alliance between red-state pragmatism and green energy is creating a political rift that challenges party orthodoxy and highlights a deeper question: what happens when ideology clashes with survival?

Table of Contents

Trump's War on Wind

Donald Trump has made his dislike of wind energy well known, famously calling turbines “ugly” and “disgusting,” and falsely claiming they kill birds and cause cancer. Since returning to power, his administration has ramped up efforts to block renewable energy development on federal lands and waters.

At the national level, Republicans are echoing this sentiment with proposed budgets that strip tax incentives for clean energy and electric vehicles. The party’s stance is clear: oil and gas are king; renewables are suspect.

But in the real world—especially in Texas—the story is more complicated.

On the Ground in Texas: Wind is Working

Former Republican state legislator John Davis exemplifies the shift. A loyal Trump supporter and Menard County rancher, Davis allowed wind turbines to be installed on his property, and now earns 40% of his income from them. These aren't ideological statements—they're economic necessities.

“Some of the bills they are trying to pass would kill renewables,” Davis warns. “That’s sacrificing conservative values like property rights just to protect oil and gas.”

And Davis isn’t alone. Many rural Texans are finding that renewables offer stability in a volatile economy. In counties with limited revenue sources, wind and solar leases are funding schools, roads, and hospitals.

The Great GOP Contradiction

The Texas legislature, dominated by Republicans, is considering several bills that would drastically limit wind and solar installations. One such bill, SB819, imposes burdensome setbacks on renewable projects—much stricter than those for fossil fuel infrastructure. The justification? Protecting landowners and wildlife.

Critics argue these bills aren’t about conservation but about appeasing powerful fossil fuel interests. Organizations like the Texas Public Policy Foundation and Stewards of Texas, backed by oil-linked billionaires, have led the charge against renewables, framing them as threats to tradition and landscape aesthetics.

Yet polls show that most Republican voters in Texas support renewable energy, seeing it not as a threat to their way of life, but as a way to preserve it.

Energy State, Not Just Oil State

Texas isn't just the top oil-producing state—it’s the leading state for wind and solar energy. It produces nearly twice as much renewable power as California and added three times more battery storage last year than the year before.

According to energy expert Joshua Rhodes, “Texas regularly has more than 50% of its grid running on renewables. We are an energy state, not just an oil state.”

For struggling rural counties like Menard, clean energy is more than a climate solution—it’s a survival strategy.

Politics vs. Paychecks

The tension between national GOP rhetoric and local Republican reality is reaching a breaking point. If proposed anti-renewable bills pass, estimates show that 15% of Texas’s wind capacity could be shut down, potentially raising energy bills for households by $225 per year.

“It’s not productive or helpful when [Trump] spouts off like that,” says Brandon Corbin, a Republican county judge in Menard. “We are the ones on the ground here.”

In communities where people are literally hungry, ideology takes a back seat to opportunity.

Will Time Run Out on Anti-Renewable Bills?

The fate of these controversial bills may come down to timing. Texas’s legislative session ends on June 2. If local advocates like John Davis can stall the bills just long enough, they may die quietly in committee—delaying the battle until next year.

“The system is set up to kill bills,” says Davis. “Delay, delay, delay—that’s our strategy.”

Conclusion

Wind energy in Texas has become an unexpected battleground where Republican values of economic independence and personal property rights collide with party-driven ideology. While Trump shouts from the national stage, local conservatives are quietly profiting—and defending—their wind turbines.

As Davis quips, in a twist on Trump’s famous phrase:
“Turn, baby, turn.”

FAQs

Why does Donald Trump oppose wind power?

Donald Trump has frequently criticized wind turbines, calling them “ugly” and falsely claiming they harm birds and cause health issues. His opposition is largely ideological, favoring traditional fossil fuels over renewables.

Are Texas Republicans really supporting wind energy?

Yes, many rural Republican landowners in Texas, including former lawmakers, are embracing wind power for its economic benefits, such as lease payments and tax revenue for local communities.

What are the proposed anti-renewable bills in Texas?

Several bills in the Texas legislature aim to restrict wind and solar projects by imposing tougher regulations and permitting rules—far stricter than those for oil or gas developments.

How does wind power help rural Texas communities?

Wind energy projects provide steady income to landowners, generate millions in tax revenue for schools and infrastructure, and help diversify local economies beyond agriculture and oil.

Could these laws affect electricity prices in Texas?

Yes. Energy experts warn that curtailing renewables could raise electricity bills by up to $225 per household annually due to reduced supply and increased dependency on costlier sources.

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