Expectations of energy alternatives are riding on the Oklahoma breeze

BY JACK MONEY

Published: December 2, 2008

The question is not whether wind power is coming to Oklahoma.

It’s here.

And attendees at a wind power conference in Oklahoma will explore just how much wind power is coming to Oklahoma.

"The wind industry is developing rapidly and Oklahoma can become a sustainable energy powerhouse,” said Natalie Shirley, Oklahoma’s secretary of commerce and tourism.

"Much as we’ve done with the aerospace industry, we want to be home to the leading wind-component manufacturers and have a nationally-recognized training system.”

Electricity generated by Oklahoma wind farms grew substantially this year, according to Oklahoma Commerce Department information.

This summer, farms had the capacity to generate 687 megawatts of power, the department stated.

Today, that amount is 913 megawatts. The added capacity is produced by the Keenan Wind Farm and from the Red Hills Wind Farm.

Conference organizers have scheduled two keynote addresses during the conference.

T. Boone Pickens, author of the Pickens plan, will be the luncheon speaker today.

The keynote speaker planned for Wednesday is Mark Tercek, the Nature Conservancy’s chief executive officer.

The two-day conference will be at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.

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