EDMOND — OG&E’s ‘Crossroads’ wind farm gains regulatory approval

OG&E announced this week that the Oklahoma Corporation Commission has approved a settlement agreement reached by all the parties to the company’s application to build and operate a new wind farm in northwestern Oklahoma. Known as “Crossroads,” the wind farm is expected to come online in the second half of 2011.

“This is a good outcome resulting from collaboration of the various parties interested in the expansion of renewable energy in Oklahoma,” said Jesse Langston, vice president of Utility Commercial Operations for OG&E. “We reached unanimous agreement with customer and shareholder groups, state agencies and regulatory officials which culminated in (the) 3-0 commission vote to approve the Crossroads project.”

Crossroads, to be built in Dewey County near Canton, will add at least 198 megawatts of renewable generation. Pending the results of a Southwest Power Pool regional transmission study, the commission’s order allows for Crossroads to be constructed with up to 227 megawatts of generating capacity. Average residential customers could see an increase in their monthly bills of somewhere between 59 and 65 cents per month when Crossroads is in full production in 2012. Beginning in 2013 or 2014, the lower-cost energy produced by Crossroads is expected to result in a net decrease in average monthly residential electric bills and to reduce customer bills each year the wind farm is in operation.

 

Insurance agents completeCareer Agents Course

Two local Farmers Insurance agents completed the Career Agents Course at the University of Farmers. They are Miguel Baez, Farmers Insurance agent in Oklahoma City, and Wes Prater, a Farmers Insurance agent in Oklahoma City.

Farmers CEO Robert Woudstra noted that the university is national in scope, and offers training to Farmers’ 15,000 agents and their staff, 500 district managers and 10,000 claims staff year round.

“These agents completed the five-day Career Agents Course, which is  clearly defined and targeted to enhance the professional skills of  Farmers’ agents,” explained Annette Thompson, senior vice president of  Farmers.  “The course gives an agent the ability to learn how to  successfully understand the needs of Farmers’ customers and help them  choose the right insurance to meet their needs,” Thompson added. “Using  professional facilitators and a curriculum that maximizes training  effectiveness, this course is a roadmap to success for every agent.”

For more information about Farmers, visit its Web site at www.farmers.com.



Overhauled SBA Web siteto go live in the fall

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced this week that a complete redesign of its Web site, SBA.gov, will launch this fall.

The new SBA.gov will make it easier for small businesses, lending institutions, small business counselors and other members of the small business community to more quickly find the information they need through a simplified navigation structure.  In addition, new features will allow users to tailor their experience to provide information that is specific to their needs and location.  

The new Web site also will offer a dedicated lender area that helps banks and other financial institutions that partner with the SBA.

 “Our goal as an agency is to get information, tools and services into the hands of small business owners more quickly so they can spend more time doing what they do best — creating the jobs that will drive our economic recovery,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. “Through a new, personalized and dynamic SBA.gov we will be better able to support job growth across the country.”

EPA plans public meeting on air regulations for oil, gas industry

On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency will have a public meeting to provide an update on the agency’s review of several air regulations covering the oil and gas industry and to solicit comments from the public.

EPA is reviewing air toxic standards for oil and gas production facilities, air toxic standards for natural gas transmission and storage facilities, and two new source performance standards for onshore natural gas processing plants: one focused on emissions from equipment leaks of volatile organic compounds and the other for sulfur dioxide emissions.

EPA is under a court-ordered deadline to issue proposals by Jan. 31 and to take final action by Nov. 30, 2011.

Members of the public wishing to speak may pre-register until today at parson.nick@epa.gov or by calling 919-541-5372, or they may register at the meeting reception table on Monday.

The meeting will be from noon to 4 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. Monday at Arlington Municipal Building Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram St., Arlington, Texas.

 

Penn Square Mall plans tax-free weekend shopping events

Penn Square Mall will offer shoppers the opportunity to purchase back-to-school necessities without paying sales tax on qualifying items during the Tax-Free Shopping Event on Aug. 6-8, in accordance with the Oklahoma Sales Tax Holiday. For more information and details on inclusions/exclusions, visit www.oktax.state.ok.us.

As part of the event, join hundreds of LEGO fans 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 7 and noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 8 for a two-day building event. The LEGO build will be in Center Court.

In addition, visit CASA of Oklahoma County’s Parade of Playhouses in the lower level Macy’s court and enter the raffle for a chance to win a custom built playhouse. Raffle tickets are a contribution of $5 each or 5 for $20. For more information, visit www.okcountycasa.org.

Penn Square Mall is at 1901 N.W. Expressway.