Another: Texas, With Energy-Only Market, Named Top State for Doing Business By Area Development Magazine; Perry Says Government Needs to "Get Out of the Way"

Texas, and its energy-only market, continue to lead independent assessments as the most attractive climate for businesses, despite feigned protestations that the energy-only market and a non-mandated reserve margin make the state unattractive for businesses, as Texas has now been named the top state for doing business by Area Development Magazine.

"In Texas, we understand that in order for our economy to thrive, government must get out of the way and let businesses get to work," Texas Gov. Rick Perry said (emphasis added).

"Our free market principles, low taxes, fair courts and smart regulations are an attractive combination for employers across the country," Perry said (emphasis added).

As has become common with various independent assessments of best business climates, no state with a centralized capacity market was ranked in the top 10. California, with an essentially spot capacity obligation placed on load serving entities which is met through bilateral transactions, was ranked 10th.

Matters has previously detailed (click here) how Texas, with its energy-only market, consistently ranks among the top states for business and industry across numerous publications (CNBC, Forbes, Business Facilities, Site Selection, Chief Executive, Area Development Magazine), while capacity market states consistently lag outside the top 10.

In Area Development Magazine's 2013 ranking (click here), states were ranked on factors in the following categories: Business Environment (costs, taxes and regulations, incentives, etc.), Labor Climate (diversity, costs, development programs, etc.); and Infrastructure and Global Access (rail/highway access, shovel-ready sites, utility rates, logistics access).