Decarbonization in the El Paso Region A Commentary on Technical and Economic Feasibility

The study commissioned by the El Paso Chamber rested on flawed assumptions and reached absurd results. This study released by the Consumer Fund of Texas titled "Decarbonization in the El Paso Region" shows that there will be a positive economic impact from moving toward cleaner sources of energy. The charter amendment El Pasoans will vote on starting next week is very modest, requiring a move to renewables only for City facilities. Still, the Chamber said it would destroy 90% of economic activity in the region, a result that makes absolutely no sense. As report author Dr. Joshua Rhodes wrote in the study: "The studies’ stark predictions of economic collapse stem from the assumption that El Paso would loseover 70% of their energy by 2045, which is egregious and displays a fundamental misunderstanding of how energy systems work, particularly in Texas." 

"This study will hopefully bring some much needed reality to the debates and discussions in El Paso and around the state," said Consumer Fund's President Sandie Haverlah. "There are certainly challenges to decarbonization; overcoming misinformation shouldn't be one of them."