EDMOND — In Oklahoma, the wind famously comes sweepin’ down the plains. Today, that wind represents more than a song lyric or the harbinger of unpredictable weather: It represents the potential for clean energy and jobs for Oklahomans.
Oklahoma ranks No. 2 among U.S. states in its potential for wind energy development. Our state boasts several established wind farms that supply homes and businesses with more than 1,000 megawatts of clean, renewable energy. With more wind farms proposed, Oklahoma could conceivably supply 10 percent of the country’s electricity needs, while creating new jobs and developing rural economies.
Moreover, wind development has the potential to create a more sustainable form of income royalties for landowners. They can receive payments based on the sale of electricity, bonuses for signing leases and rental income based on the number of wind turbines on their property.
Wind is intermittent and must be backed up by another source. Natural gas-fired power plants are the perfect complement to wind. Natural gas is clean, abundant in the United States — especially in Oklahoma — and it can be brought online faster than other sources of power. The more wind power we develop, the better we position Oklahoma’s natural gas industry for a significant role in our country’s electricity generation.
Communities, schools and small businesses are taking advantage of wind development with tax incentives, credits and financial resources for small wind projects. Last year, Yarbrough Public School, outside of Goodwell, installed a wind turbine that provides half of the school district’s electricity needs.
Opportunities abound, and now is the time to learn more. The REVOLUTION 2009: Oklahoma Wind Energy Conference is Dec. 2-3 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. This is an opportunity for landowners, wind developers, energy professionals and environmental and wildlife advocates to discuss how Oklahoma will responsibly develop its natural resources while preserving land and wildlife.
For more information, visit www.OKWindRevolution.com or call 1-800-203-5494. I encourage anyone interested to join us as we research and explore new economic opportunities and position Oklahoma to be a leader in this growing industry.
GOV. BRAD HENRY may be reached via his web site www.governor.ok.gov.
Opinion
A revolution in energy
- Opinion
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
If you read any of the letters to the editor in the past two weeks regarding Tuesday’s District 2 Edmond school board race, then you already know that this election is not about the individual candidates so much as it’s about what type of school board do Edmond residents really want governing their school district?
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What are your presidential 10 Commandments?
As we brace for the upcoming presidential campaign, we should be honest about our responsibility in the process. Before we get pushed, pulled, bribed, frightened, bullied, flattered, fooled or charmed into voting for a candidate, let’s take a mature thoughtful look at what the profile of the president should look like. In order to do that, let’s do an exercise. Sit down with a pencil and paper and draft your proposal for the Ten Commandments to be obeyed by the president. Let me share some of my suggestions.
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What would Reagan do today in Oklahoma?
As we celebrated the 101st anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth on Feb. 6, several of us at Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs started discussing what Reagan might do today. Here are some of the ideas we came up with.
- LETTER: School counselor says Roy ready to help all students
- LETTER: Supporter calls Duncan 'a firecracker'
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Consequences of an overregulated nation
Overreaching government regulations are costing jobs and killing our economy. They are a heavy burden on our nation and its citizens — in some cases worse than our nation’s increasingly out-of-control debt.
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LETTER: Supporter: Duncan shows passion for children’s needs
To the Editor:
The families in the Edmond Public School District are fortunate to have Kathleen Duncan as their advocate on the Edmond Board of Education. Duncan has worked tirelessly for the welfare and benefit of the Edmond schools’ students. -
LETTER: Teacher supports Duncan’s re-election
To the Editor:
On Feb. 14 patrons of District 2 have an opportunity to re-elect the current president of the Edmond School Board, Kathleen Duncan. Duncan has served as a board member for 10 years. When people move to the Oklahoma City area, they buy a home here because of the exceptional quality of Edmond Public Schools. This speaks to Duncan’s goal of “Excellence in Education for All Edmond Public School Students.” -
LETTER: Supporter: Duncan understands diverse issues
To the Editor:
Kathleen Duncan understands the diverse issues that effect our schools. She carefully studies the district’s issues and works tirelessly as an advocate for all students. Her votes as a board member have an impact for years to come and she takes that responsibility very seriously. - LETTER: Reader says incumbent's personal agenda in the way
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
