According to a Science Daily release, wind and solar have the greatest potential to replace coal generation throughout Texas.

Environmental engineer Daniel Cohan and senior computer science major Richard Morse from Rice University's George R. Brown School of Engineering conducted a study on wind and solar generation in Texas which found that it could easily replace coal-fired power generation. Their work and research employ a system of optimization modeling to identify low-cost, high-efficiency areas of Texas where wind and solar projects can be installed to replace coal power generation effectively.

According to a 2020 report from the US Energy Information Administration, Texas is currently the top state in coal consumption. While this is significant, Texas has shut down many large coal-fired power plants in 2018, and most are now operating at low capacity. According to the Science Daily release, by June 2020, one-third of wind and solar projects proposed to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas could replace all of the state's coal power generation. The queue list for solar projects has more than doubled since June of 2020. According to an American Clean Power Association report, Texas is the leading state in new renewable energy projects in 2021.

New infrastructure investments to connect transmission lines to the state's sunniest and windiest areas will be critical to Texas' success in future renewable projects. By doing so, Texas will be able to sell surplus wind and solar energy to other states and increase state export revenue.

Texas has the potential to become one of the leading states in green energy and completely phase out coal-fired power generation. More projects in the state and more investments in renewable energy will help with economic development and make it a greener state.