Texas Energy Security: Insights from Chairman Drew Darby

Why Energy Security Matters for Texas

In a state as vast and economically vital as Texas, energy security isn’t just a policy goal—it’s a public necessity. Texas leads the nation in energy production, yet remains vulnerable to extreme weather events, outdated infrastructure, and market volatility.

For Chairman Drew Darby, a West Texas Republican and the long-serving Chair of the House Energy Resources Committee, the road to energy security requires pragmatic leadership, a resilient grid, and a sustainable energy mix.

Darby’s perspective is rooted in over 50 years of experience in oil and gas law and public service. His career spans multiple energy crises that revealed both the strengths and weaknesses of the Lone Star State’s energy framework. From the oil embargo in the 1970s to Winter Storm Uri in 2021, each event underscored the critical need for Texas energy security—an approach that blends energy resilience with long-term reliability.

“The grid must be built not for yesterday’s demand, but tomorrow’s opportunity.” — Chairman Drew Darby

Timeline of Texas Energy Crises and Reforms

• 1973: Oil Embargo—exposed U.S. overdependence on foreign oil.

• 1989: Blackouts during a severe freeze highlighted winterization issues.

• 2003: Texas completed its deregulation and shift to a competitive ERCOT market.

• 2011: Super Bowl weekend cold front caused rolling blackouts across the state.

• 2021: Winter Storm Uri left millions without power, demanding urgent grid reform.

• 2023: ERCOT introduces plans for grid expansion and flexible load management.

Each crisis has shaped Chairman Darby’s belief that energy independence must come with operational resilience and clear governance.

Chairman Darby’s All-of-the-Above Approach to Texas Energy

Embracing a Sustainable Energy Mix

Chairman Darby advocates for an “all-of-the-above” energy policy that treats each source as a vital team player. He emphasizes that no single form of energy can shoulder the state’s massive power demand alone. Instead, oil, gas, wind, solar, geothermal, nuclear, and battery storage must work in tandem.

“If you want to win, you need a full team, not just one kind of player on the field.” — Chairman Drew Darby

Texas already leads the nation in wind energy and ranks high in solar growth, but Darby also sees a future for traditional resources and emerging tech. The goal is a balanced, sustainable energy mix that strengthens Texas energy security while meeting diverse economic and environmental needs.

Real-World Example: Storage Projects in Rural Texas

Near San Angelo, Darby’s hometown, a cutting-edge battery storage project charges and discharges up to six times daily. This facility helps balance grid loads, supports intermittent renewable energy, and provides tax revenue for schools and income for local landowners. It’s a prime example of rural energy infrastructure delivering both resilience and local prosperity.

Transmission Reform for Grid Reliability in Texas

ERCOT Reform Through House Bill 3069

ERCOT congestion cost Texans over $2 billion in 2023 alone, a stark reminder of the limits of an outdated transmission system. Chairman Darby’s House Bill 3069 streamlines the approval process for new transmission lines to alleviate congestion and increase grid reliability. This effort is part of a larger push for ERCOT reform aimed at modernizing Texas’s electric grid.

Flexible Load Management: House Bill 3970 and Senate Bill 6

Complementing transmission upgrades, Darby also supports policies that incentivize flexible energy loads. House Bill 3970 and Senate Bill 6 create a regulatory framework to manage data centers, electric vehicle fleets, and large industrial consumers—critical steps in achieving energy resilience. These bills ensure the Texas grid can quickly respond to real-time demands without overbuilding costly capacity.

Nuclear Energy & Water Security: The SMR Solution

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for Desalination and Drought Resilience

Darby sees nuclear energy—particularly Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)—as a key solution in addressing both power generation and water scarcity. SMRs provide steady, carbon-free energy ideal for desalination plants, which require high, stable power output. This water-energy nexus is especially relevant in arid regions of West Texas where population growth and agriculture intensify water demand.

Integrating SMRs into Texas’s broader energy portfolio strengthens both energy and water security, fulfilling a dual mission critical to the state’s long-term sustainability.

How Texas Is Leading the Way in Energy Innovation

Pragmatic Conservatism and Cross-Partisan Collaboration

While Darby is a staunch conservative, his approach to energy policy transcends ideology. He champions pragmatic conservatism—where market-driven solutions meet strategic regulation. His bipartisan focus has enabled policy wins that modernize the grid while preserving Texas’s deregulated market structure.

“Market certainty drives private investment—regulatory confusion kills it.” — Chairman Drew Darby

Mapping Texas Energy Infrastructure

Texas’s diverse energy infrastructure includes:

• West Texas: Wind farms and battery storage

• South Texas: Natural gas and nuclear (e.g., South Texas Project)

• East Texas: Oil fields and LNG terminals

• Urban centers: Solar installations, EV infrastructure, and demand centers

This wide geographic distribution ensures both resource access and redundancy—cornerstones of a resilient energy grid.

What Can You Do? Action Steps for Energy-Conscious Texans

Here are ways readers can engage and support Texas energy security initiatives:

• Contact your representatives to support legislation like HB 3069 and HB 3970.

• Educate your community about the benefits of an all-of-the-above energy policy.

• Support local renewable and storage projects that improve rural energy infrastructure.

• Encourage responsible deregulation and push for transparency in ERCOT reform.

Additional Research

• Texas leads the nation in wind and solar production, contributing to grid reliability and market diversity. (EIA)

• ERCOT demand has grown 20% from 2015 to 2023, highlighting the urgency of infrastructure upgrades. (Texas Comptroller)

• Transmission congestion costs exceed $2 billion annually, impacting energy prices and reliability. (Texas PUC)