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).
Here you'll find news, updates on energy policy changes, industry events, and opportunities that drive the energy efficiency and renewable resource development efforts throughout Oklahoma. Follow the links below to learn more about the State Energy Office and find the resources you need to lower your energy use and costs, participate in the development of renewable energy, and more.
Oklahoma Appliance Rebate Program Slated To Begin On ‘Earth Day’
February 4, 2010 -- The Oklahoma Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program is scheduled to begin on April 22, 2010, in conjunction with Earth Day and surrounding states' programs. The program is a nationwide endeavor from the U.S. Department of Energy and is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
"The appliance rebate program is designed for Oklahoma residents to buy energy-efficient appliances from Oklahoma retailers to replace existing appliances in Oklahoma single residences," said Vaughn Clark, Director, Community Development for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
ACCIONA's Red Hills Becomes First VCS Facility in Nation
January 29, 2010 -- ACCIONA is the first company to register a wind energy facility in the United States under the requirements of the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS). The facility is ACCIONA's 123 MW Red Hills wind energy facility in Oklahoma, which runs 82 ACCIONA wind turbines of 1.5 MW capacity each.
It is the first wind energy project developed and installed by ACCIONA in Oklahoma, which to date has no renewable portfolio standard (RPS) and no ability to comply for renewable energy certificates (REC). The investment for the wind facility was $252 million.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) allows wind farms to claim avoidance of 0.67 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere for each megawatt-hour of generation. The validation of Red Hills was a long process in which an independent third party guaranteed that the project complies with all the requirements of the VCS and the methodology of the UNFCCC.
PSO Seeks Approval of Green Initiatives
January 20, 2010 -- Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) is asking the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) to approve plans that will provide customers options for purchasing more renewable energy.
PSO is also asking the Commission allow the company to offer incentives to encourage manufacturers of wind and solar equipment to locate in Oklahoma.
Regulators Approve OG&E Contracts With New Wind Farms
Commission order enables OG&E to double renewable capacity to 550 megawatts
January 11, 2010 -- The Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) has issued two orders authorizing the OG&E's purchase of electricity from new wind farms currently being developed in northwestern Oklahoma. The OCC orders clear the way for OG&E's customers to receive electricity from a 150-megawatt wind farm being constructed by CPV Keenan in Woodward County and a 130-megawatt facility being built by Edison Mission Energy in Dewey County near Taloga.
Both wind farms are expected to be in production by year-end. The Commission approved 20-year power-purchase agreements, under which the developers will build, own and operate the wind farms and OG&E will purchase their electric output.
Oklahoma Installs Wind Turbines near Capitol
January 7, 2010 – The Journal Record reports the skyline of the State Capitol Complex, once the sole domain of oil derricks, has been joined by wind turbines.
The Department of Central Services has announced the installation of two 10-kilowatt wind turbines by state buildings. One was installed on the Governor’s Mansion grounds, while a second turbine was placed near a Department of Human Services building at the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and the Broadway Extension, says the Journal Record.
Vestas Chooses Weather Decision Technologies Lightning Decision Support System for Wind Energy Farms
December 16, 2009 -- Vestas, the leading supplier of modern renewable energy wind solutions, has selected the Lightning Decision Support System (LDSS) from Norman-based Weather Decision Technologies, Inc., the leader in global weather decision support systems, to support its wind energy business customers throughout the Continental United States.
Through its agreement with Vestas, WDT is now the company’s approved and recommended weather solution vendor. Forty wind farm customers are already using LDSS to optimize safety at each of its sites across the Central Plains, Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, and Iowa. More locations are expected to utilize the lightning safety software over the next several months, as ongoing development of new wind farms continues.
Acciona to Begin Construction on Second Oklahoma Wind Farm in 2010
December 14, 2009 – The Journal Record reports Acciona Energy North America plans to start construction on its second wind farm in Oklahoma during 2010, creating nearly 200 jobs.
The Dempsey Ridge Wind Farm is in development near Elk City and will be built approximately 15 miles west of Acciona’s Red Hills Wind Farm.
DOE and USDA Invest Over $4 Million in OSU Feedstocks Project
November 17, 2009 -- The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy recently announced a project at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Stillwater was among several projects selected for more grants to research and develop technologies to produce biofuels, bioenergy and high-value biobased products.
Researchers at OSU will receive over $4 million towards the development of best practices and technologies necessary to ensure efficient, sustainable and profitable production of cellulosic ethanol feedstocks. Utilizing large-scale feedstock production research, the economic and environmental sustainability of switchgrass, mixed-species perennial grasses and annual biomass cropping systems will be evaluated, and the synergy between bioenergy and livestock production will be explored.
Horizon Wind Energy Dedicates Blue Canyon V Wind Farm
Project's Third Phase Will Generate Enough Clean Energy to Power 30,000 Average OK Homes Annually
November 6, 2009 -- With the wind at their backs, officials from Horizon Wind Energy, owned by EDP Renewables, the world's fourth largest wind energy player, recently gathered on the Slick Hills terrain of southwestern Oklahoma with state and local dignitaries and project landowners to celebrate the start of operations at Blue Canyon V Wind Farm.
The project, which is the third phase of the Blue Canyon Wind Farm, is situated on 7,000 acres near the small towns of Apache in Caddo County and Elgin in Comanche County. It has an installed capacity of 99 megawatts (MW) -- enough to power approximately 30,000 average Oklahoma homes with clean energy each year.
OG&E's Smart Grid Project Selected to Receive $130 Million Stimulus Grant
October 28, 2009 -- Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company (OG&E) has been notified today by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that its application for $130 million in stimulus funding to accelerate the Positive Energy® Smart Grid program has been accepted for award, pending final negotiations next month.
At the same time President Barack Obama was in Florida, announcing all of the recipients included in the $3.4 billion Smart Grid Investment Grant awards program to improve the nation's electricity infrastructure.
Oklahoma's Wind Industry Suppliers
Learn which existing Oklahoma businesses currently provide products and services to the wind industry or want to do so!
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.
The 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.
To 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 Profiles
Visit 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 Challenge
Saving 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!
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). 
