Name: Jason McCarty
Phone: 405-815-5320

May 25, 2010 -- Legislation to boost Oklahoma's use of alternative energy, including wind energy, has passed the state House and state Senate and is now headed to Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry for signature.

The measure was authored by House Speaker Chris Benge of Tulsa and creates the Oklahoma Energy Security Act, which seeks to reduce dependence on foreign oil and increase domestic energy and renewable energy production in Oklahoma.

The bill creates a renewable energy standard for Oklahoma that calls for 15 percent of all electricity generated in Oklahoma by 2015 be produced from renewable energy like wind, solar and geothermal sources as well as conservation efforts.

"The Oklahoma Energy Security Act proves that Oklahoma is serious about developing the state's wind energy potential and adds this exciting renewable resource into our deep portfolio of energy production," said Natalie Shirley, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce.

Oklahoma's energy providers are already well on their way to meeting the goal. PSO and Western Farmer's Electrical Co-op currently generate 12 percent of their power from renewable energy sources and OG&E is at 7.5 percent.

"Oklahoma has the potential to be the second largest supplier of wind energy in America, but we absolutely needed a renewable energy standard to fulfill that potential," Shirley said.