WIND KEY TO OKLAHOMA ECONOMY

Experts say wind energy key to Oklahoma economy
Murray Evans, June 23, 2009 (AP via Forbes)

"Oklahoma has vast potential for the development of the renewable resource and it could be a boon to the state's economy, speakers at…Oklahoma Wind Commerce 2009…said…days after [Acciona Energy North America’s Red Hills Wind Farm] the state's ninth wind farm was dedicated near the western Oklahoma towns of Elk City and Hammon…[S]peakers included the state's commerce, energy and environmental secretaries and Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, who noted Oklahoma's longtime status as an energy leader."

[Lt. Gov. Jari Askins:] "We believe that Oklahoma is perfectly located for us to develop this industry in our state…Energy and agriculture have been mainstays of our economy for decades. Wind energy is an opportunity to continue developing the energy industry and continue it moving forward into the 21st century."

Oklahoma is among the U.S. leaders in obtaining electricity from wind power and is positioning itself for success in the coming carbon-constrained economy. (click to enlarge)

"The state also has an abundance of natural gas, which can be used in tandem with wind, state Energy Secretary Robert Wegener said…

"Oklahoma is 12th among the states in wind energy generation, but state officials said it could climb into the top two in the next couple of decades if it continued to develop its resources. By 2030, it could provide 10 percent of the nation's electricity, state Commerce Secretary Natalie Shirley said."

Oklahoma is a veteran in the energy world and knows better than to let these energy assets go undeveloped. (click to enlarge)

"But for the state to reach its potential, the electric grid must be updated so power can be moved from place to place, Wegener said…The manufacturing portion of the wind industry also has the potential to create jobs and lure employers to Oklahoma, Shirley said.

"State Environmental Secretary J.D. Strong said he is enthusiastic about wind's potential as a so-called "green" energy source, but there are environmental concerns. Wind farms are already reducing habitat for the lesser prairie chicken, a stocky ground-dwelling bird found in parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas…If federal officials place the lesser prairie chicken on the endangered species list, that could make it difficult for those interested in building more wind farms in the region, Strong said…"