Wind energy surge good news for state
Wind energy surge good news for state

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By Scott Greene

Published: July 13, 2008

Oklahomans are feeling the impact of high oil and gas prices, but the future of wind power promises to improve Oklahoma's energy outlook.

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Nearly a decade ago, researchers at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University set out to harness one of Oklahoma's most abundant natural resources — wind power. This foresight led to the creation of the Oklahoma Wind Power Initiative in 2000. Today, university researchers are leading the way in developing wind power as a viable energy option in the state.

One-third of new electricity generating plants in the United States were powered by wind energy in 2007; in Texas, it was two-thirds, accounting for $3 billion worth of wind turbines in the past year. Driving this movement is the fact that few electricity generating plants are being built in the United States, partly due to environmental concerns.

A Department of Energy report shows 20 percent of U.S. electricity will come from wind by 2030. According to the report, wind energy has the potential to create more than 15,000 jobs and $500 million a year in property tax revenues in Oklahoma with appropriate investment in research and job training.

The shift to wind power is gaining momentum as utility companies and turbine manufacturers see an opportunity to profit from alternative energy sources. Advanced technology and lower costs are driving the market for wind energy in response to rising oil and gas prices. Oil prices continue to climb to new highs each day, while natural gas prices doubled in the last year. Plus, wind energy is more economical and competitive today than ever before.

Oklahoma has almost 700 megawatts or $1 billion worth of wind turbines. OU and OSU through the Oklahoma Wind Power Initiative are collaborating with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the State Energy Program, Oklahoma CareerTech and a variety of private-sector affiliates to help develop a robust statewide wind energy industry.

A Department of Commerce initiative to attract more wind turbine manufacturers to the state will create more jobs for skilled workers in this field. Programs at OU and OSU, a new associate's degree in wind energy at Oklahoma City Community College and offerings at CareerTech, will help educate and train the work force of the future.

Wind energy installations have doubled in the United States from 2006 to present. In addition to plants already located in Oklahoma, other wind turbine manufacturers have expressed interest in relocating to our state, an action that could result in thousands of additional quality jobs in Oklahoma.

In addition to the Oklahoma Wind Power Initiative, OU is recognized for its expertise in weather forecasting, which will help establish Oklahoma as a leader in "wind energy.” There is no shortage of wind power in the state, and Oklahomans stand to prosper from the growth of a profitable wind energy industry.

Greene is director of the Oklahoma Wind Power Initiative (ocgi.okstate.edu/owpi/) and a geography professor at the University of Oklahoma.