(KFDX-TV)
As the economy sinks, Texas lawmakers are looking for ways to bring jobs to the Lone Star State.

Governor Rick Perry says he’s open to exploring eco-friendly industries in Texas.

Texoma Representatives Rick Hardcastle (R-Dist. 68) and David Farabee (D-Dist. 69) say Texoma is an ideal place for alternate energy industries including solar, wind and bio-fuel technology. Local legislators are hopeful that bills filed will attract alternate energy development in our area.

It may be Oklahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the plain, but we get our fair share of sweeping winds in north Texas. Now the question is: how do we channel that natural force into jobs?

Hardcastle says, “Wind and Solar are high on our priority list because there are no Texas jobs involved except for manufacturing.”

Hardcastle served as the chair of the house energy committee in the last legislative session. He says Texas has more wind turbines than any other state, but the manufacturing of those turbines takes place elsewhere. Bringing manufacturing plants for solar panels or wind turbines to Texoma would also create jobs.

“Anything we can do to jumpstart energy,” Hardcastle says. “All of energy from the bottom to the stop is on the verge of the next generation of technology. We just need to jumpstart that technology.”

Representative David Farabee agrees. He served as vice chair of the energy committee last session. He says there are a variety of green energy sources that could be harvested in Texoma.

Farabee says, “Texoma is postured well to participate in wind electricity generation and because of our agricultural nature the bio mass. Of course, it’s Texas so we’ll always be talking about solar.”

Committees for this legislative session haven’t been assigned yet, but because of their experience on the topic — it’s possible Hardcastle and Farabee could have some influence on bills relating to energy development.

Lawmakers say with all of the plant closures and layoffs Texoma has experienced recently, injecting some new industry into the area would only help our economy. They say developing green energy industries will bring those needed new jobs to Texoma.