OG&E to Negotiate with ‘Short List’ Bidders on Wind Farm DevelopmentsJune 23, 2009 -- OG&E’s plan to quadruple its commitment to wind energy has taken another significant step forward with the identification of three companies that are on the company’s "short list" to build new wind farms in northwestern Oklahoma.
OG&E says it has narrowed the list of bidders who responded to its December 2008 request for proposals to three companies and will begin contract negotiations shortly. Five Noble Foundation Scientists Receive Funding from Oklahoma Bioenergy CenterJune 17, 2009 -- Five scientists with The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation recently received more than $750,000 in funding to conduct research on renewable energy as part of the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center (OBC), the state’s first coordinated biofuels initiative.
"The Noble Foundation is excited to continue research as part of the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center," says Michael Cawley, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Noble Foundation. "We are confident our research will lead to great progress in renewable energy research to benefit Oklahoma." Number of Clean-Energy Jobs in Oklahoma RisingJune 11, 2009 - The Tulsa World reports Oklahoma's clean-energy industry added jobs over a 10-year period according to a recent Pew Charitable Trusts study.
Oklahoma's mix of clean-energy businesses, including wind and geothermal efforts, grew by 6.8% from 1998-2007, reports the World. Oklahoma employs nearly 5,500 people in jobs supporting renewable power sources.
Venture capitalists have poured more than $5 million into Oklahoma clean-energy projects in the past three years. These projects included wind, geothermal and biofuels. Gov. Henry Signs Alternative Energy BillJune 2, 2009 -- Gov. Brad Henry has signed legislation to encourage motorists to fuel their vehicles with compressed natural gas (CNG).
The legislation is designed to increase the number of vehicles in the state running on alternative fuels like CNG as well as the number of publicly available fueling stations. OMRF Breaks Ground on Research Tower with Unique Wind FeatureMay 27, 2009 -- The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) recently broke ground on its new research tower, marking the start of a campus expansion that will nearly double the foundation’s size.
The new tower will not only add 185,000 square feet of laboratory, administrative and clinical research space, but it will be the first medical research facility anywhere to generate a portion of its power through wind. It will do so through 24 wind turbines—uniquely designed in the shape of DNA molecules—that will sit atop its roof. Tulsa Transit to Convert Portion of Bus Fleet to CNGMay 22, 2009 – KRMG reports Tulsa Transit will use $13 million of federal stimulus money to convert a portion of its bus fleet to compressed natural gas (CNG). 13 of 62 buses will be converted from diesel to CNG.
Tulsa Transit CEO Bill Cartwright tells KRMG, "It'll be less noisy because a CNG engine is basically a gas engine, like in your car. It just runs on CNG."
Besides being less noisy, the CNG buses will also be cleaner. New OG&E Wind Program Boasts 1,000 CustomersMay 13, 2009 – The Oklahoman reports over 1,000 residential and business customers have signed up to participate in Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co.’s newest wind power program.
OG&E customers can sign up at www.oge.com to purchase the equivalent of 25, 50 or 100% of their monthly electrical usage from wind power for an additional charge.
More than 250 business customers have signed up to participate including Dell, Hitachi Computer Products (America) Inc., the Chickasaw Tribal Utility Authority and Tinker Air Force Base. New AWEA Rankings ReleasedApril 30, 2009 -- Wind energy leaders in several categories maintained their #1 positions even as other leaders emerged in new categories, while 24 states saw new wind turbine and component manufacturing facilities opened, expanded or announced in 2008, according to the annual wind energy industry rankings report released on April 12 by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
In company rankings, NextEra Energy Resources (formerly FPL Energy) continues to lead in wind farm ownership; GE Energy remained the wind turbine maker with the largest amount of new capacity installed, and Xcel Energy again leads investor-owned utilities in wind power. Wind power’s recent growth has also accelerated investment in manufacturing: wind turbine and turbine component manufacturers announced, added or expanded more than 55 facilities in 2008 alone, spanning 24 states from Alabama to Wisconsin. New CNG Filling Station Debuts at Will Rogers Airport in OKCApril 22, 2009 -- The Oklahoman reports Fleet cars powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) can fill up at a new filling station located at Will Rogers World Airport.
The new station operated by T. Boone Pickens’ Clean Energy Fuels Corp., will serve Airport Express, which has pledged to convert all of its shuttle vehicles to CNG. The 24-hour station, at 4424 Amelia Earhart Drive, also is open to the public, reports The Oklahoman.
Officials hope the more fueling stations that are available; the more likely consumers will consider buying a CNG-powered vehicle for personal use. Ground Broken on OU Wind Farm ProjectApril 22, 2009 – The Oklahoman reports representatives of Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. (OG&E) and the University of Oklahoma (OU) recently broke ground on a wind farm designed to help OU achieve its goal of becoming 100% powered by renewable energy by 2013.
The 101-megawatt "OU Spirit" wind farm will begin producing electricity in 2010. |
Department of Energy Technical Assistance Project Webcasts
The DOE Technical Assistance Project (TAP) for state and local officials is holding a series of free Web seminars, or Webcasts, through the rest of this year on financing for renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Webcasts are held the last Wednesday of the month and are free of charge, but you have to register in advance to obtain the URL to sign in to the on-screen portion of the presentation over the Internet and the phone line for the audio. New FAQ on the Renewable Fuel StandardThe EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality has added an updated series of Questions and Answers on the implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard. A copy of this document may be found at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/
420f07041a.pdf.
General Information on the Renewable Fuel Standard Program Weatherization Works; Donate to ECAF TodayTo assist more families and provide addional energy conservation improvements, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce established the Energy Conservation Assistance Fund (ECAF).
Besides energy savings for low-income families, the weatherization of 1,400 homes each year across the state creates local jobs and annually funnels millions of dollars into Oklahoma's economy. The purchase of materials used in weatherization support local manufacturers and businesses in every county. For every $1 invested in the program, weatherization returns $1.53 in energy-related benefits.
With your donation to ECAF, you can help ensure this valuable service is available for eligible Oklahomans. Also, you and your company may receive a 50% tax credit against your Oklahoma tax liability.
Please send your check to: Energy Conservation Assistance Fund, Community Development Division, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, 900 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, OK 73126. For more information, call 800-879-6552. More on the Weatherization Assistance Program Online State Energy ProfilesVisit http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/ to read comprehensive state energy profiles, featuring statistics on traditional and alternative energy production and consumption. The new site, launched by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), also provides a map of energy infrastructure and renewable energy potential. Energy Star: Take the Lightbulb ChallengeSaving energy and money is as easy as changing out old lightbulbs with those sporting the Energy Star label. Visit the Energy Star website to take the challenge and find out more! Contacts:Carolyn Sullivan
405-815-5347
800-879-6552
Kylah McNabb
405-815-5249
800-879-6552 | 
The Oklahoma State Energy Office strives to increase energy efficiency and the use of renewable resources across the state by providing information, training, and technical assistance to energy users and developers. Most of the projects/programs administered by the State Energy Office are federally funded through the U.S. Department of Energy's State Energy Program (SEP). 
