Long known for a vast supply of crude oil and natural gas, Texas may be adding wind power leader to its list of credentials. The Lone Star state has overtaken California as the leading state for wind power and the growing trend is showing no signs of slowing down.

Field after field of former oil and gas rigs are now being replaced with giant wind turbines, some measuring twice the height of statue of Liberty with blades longer than a football field. Many tapped-out oil fields are being converted into wind farms, and over three per cent of that state's electricity now comes from wind turbines. There are still limitations associated with wind power including the higher cost than power produced from fossil fuels, unpredictable weather and the aesthetic appearance of the turbines, however some oil businessmen like Boone Pickens see the future potential for the state.

“I have the same feelings about wind,” Mr. Pickens said in an interview, “as I had about the best oil field I ever found.” He is planning to build the biggest wind farm in the world, a $10 billion behemoth that could power a small city by itself. “I like wind because it’s renewable and it’s clean and you know you are not going to be dealing with a production decline curve,” Mr. Pickens said. “Decline curves finally wore me out in the oil business.”

I find it somewhat amusing the wind farms are receiving opposition for their unsightly appearance considering this is a state overrun with oil rigs and smog-filled air due to pollution. How wind turbines are considered more visually offensive I'm not too sure, but it seems those protesting the development of wind power in the state are in the minority, no matter what their reasons for opposition are.

Hit the jump to read the detailed article, which goes in-depth to explain why Texas has become the leading state in the development of wind power.

» The New York Times