[OKC] FW: Legislation Setting Alternative Energy Goals for Oklahoma Passes Committee

[Shauna Lawyer Struby]

FYI - in case anyone missed this .

 

From: Speaker Media [mailto:Speaker.Media at okhouse.gov] 
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 1:50 PM
To: Speaker Media
Subject: Legislation Setting Alternative Energy Goals for Oklahoma Passes
Committee

 



 

CONTACT:

Jennifer Monies, Press Secretary

Oklahoma House of Representatives

Office of House Speaker Chris Benge

405-962-7679

jenniferm at okhouse.gov

 

Legislation Setting Alternative Energy Goals for Oklahoma Passes Committee

 

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 16, 2010) -Legislation creating energy goals meant to
promote alternative energy development in Oklahoma unanimously passed House
committee today. 

House Bill 3028, by House Speaker Chris Benge, creates the "Oklahoma Energy
Security Act." 

The legislation creates a renewable energy standard for Oklahoma, which will
set a goal for the state that aims to best utilize the state's abundant
natural resources. The renewable energy standard will be that 15 percent of
all electricity generated within the state by the year 2015 be generated
from renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, geothermal and energy
conservation efforts. 

"Oklahoma has a variety of alternative energy resources to offer our nation
as we seek to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. This goal will serve as
official support for further development of alternative energy resources in
our state, while also acting as an economic development tool as we seek to
attract business to Oklahoma," said Benge, R-Tulsa. "We cannot secure our
economic future until we secure our energy future. Our state has an
opportunity to lead the way as we take advantage of our abundant natural
resources and develop the next generation of energy."

Currently, approximately 35 states including Washington, D.C. have some form
of renewable portfolio standard. Arkansas is the only neighboring state
without one. 

The legislation would not serve as a mandate, but instead will set a goal
for Oklahoma energy companies to meet. 

The bill also creates a natural gas energy standard that will help promote
natural gas energy development in Oklahoma to complement renewable energy
sources like wind. The legislation declares natural gas as the preferred
choice of electric generation in this state and lays out a desire that new
fossil fuel generation facilities built or expanded in this state be powered
by natural gas. The bill provides an exception if it is in the best interest
of the electric consumer. 

Additionally, the bill also seeks to promote wind-energy development in
Oklahoma by increasing the capability of transmitting the electricity
generated by wind across the state and to other states through improved
transmission capability. 

The bill calls for the state to work with the Corporation Commission and the
Southwest Power Pool to develop plans to expand transmission capacity in
Oklahoma. 

Finally, the bill works to increase the number of compressed natural gas
fueling stations in the state by setting a goal of having one public CNG
fueling station located approximately every 100 miles along the entire
interstate highway system in the state by the year 2015. That goal will
increase to at least one CNG station approximately every 50 miles by the
year 2025. 

"Wind and natural gas are plentiful in Oklahoma, and together can be used to
help satisfy our state's ever-growing energy needs," said Benge. "But, as we
also work to improve the alternative energy infrastructure, including
fueling stations and transmission lines, we can also help other states, who
may not be as blessed as Oklahoma with natural resources, meet their stated
energy goals."

The bill passed the House Energy and Utility Regulation Committee
unanimously today and will next be considered before the full House. 

 

-30-

 

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