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Representing tremendous economic development potential, Oklahoma could lead the nation in wind energy production by 2030. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce and its statewide network of partners plan to advocate, promote, and incent Oklahoma's wind energy industry right to the top.

In May, Governor Brad Henry signed HB2813, which gives utilities the ability to recover investments made in wind energy transmission and demonstrates Oklahoma's commitment to helping this industry fully develop.

''We're not just making room for a wind energy industry in Oklahoma,'' Governor Henry says. ''We are embracing the industry and want to do all we can to harness every bit of capacity we can deliver to the nation's grid. We want to be a leader in production, and as we've done with our aerospace industry, Oklahoma wants to become a hub of other industry activity, including training, component supply, and maintenance. We have all the pieces right here, and they're coming together quickly.''

According to Secretary of Commerce & Tourism Natalie Shirley, Commerce is committing significant business recruitment and workforce development efforts to Oklahoma's emerging wind energy industry.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) predicts Oklahoma will be the second-largest generator of wind power in the nation by 2030. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Oklahoma - already ranked among the nation's top 10 wind energy producers - could generate 9 percent of the nation's total electricity needs.

''Considering Oklahoma's capacity, the wind industry represents another exciting chapter in the diversification of our energy production portfolio,'' Shirley says. ''As the state's lead economic development agency, we want to bring all players together to build an industry cluster and prepare a workforce ready to succeed in the green technology fields.''

According to Sandy Pratt, Commerce Deputy Director for Business Services and leader of the Site Selection Fast Forward Team, attracting wind tower manufacturer DMI Industries to Tulsa was just the beginning.

''We are taking calls almost weekly now from others interested in taking part in Oklahoma's wind energy industry,'' Pratt says. ''We are currently in dialogue with tower, turbine, nacelle, and blade manufacturers as well as maintenance and repair operations. Oklahoma's competitive business costs, central location, and nationally-recognized incentive programs are getting their attention.''

5 Reasons to Locate Your Wind Manufacturing Company in Oklahoma

Rural America's Green Opportunity
While the state compiles hard data, reports by national organizations such as the NREL, depict a strong future for states that develop wind and other renewable energy capacities.

Between 2007 and 2030, the NREL estimates that based on current capacity development the wind industry throughout the Southwest Power Pool - an eight-state region including Oklahoma - will support 141,400 construction jobs and 395,800 operations, maintenance, and manufacturing jobs. Economic activity will be more than $48 billion within the SPP region alone.

''Rural Oklahoma could realize significant positive impacts from a fully developed wind energy industry. Through landowner payments and property taxes, counties can improve roads, schools, and other vital infrastructure,'' says Charles Kimbrough, Commerce Director of Recruitment. ''NREL estimates more than $8.8 billion in property taxes and land lease payments between 2007 and 2030. If we can capture just 9% of that nationwide capacity, we're looking at an important boost for our rural communities.''

That boost to rural Oklahoma is part of the reason why Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, the first Oklahoma utility/electric co-op to purchase and offer wind energy to its members, supports the wind energy industry's development.

''We serve two-thirds of rural Oklahoma, and the development of wind production and wind transmission could have a major economic impact,'' says Scott Williams, Commercial & Industrial Marketing Manager and Legislative Coordinator for Western Farmers. ''Wind and other renewable energy sources will continue to become a bigger part of our power mix as it makes sense for us and for Oklahoma.''

Commerce Aligns State to Embrace and Develop Wind Energy Industry

Through its State Energy Office, Commerce supports energy conservation and efforts to develop renewable energy resources across the state. Oklahoma Wind

For example, Commerce has been an active member and financial supporter of the Oklahoma Wind Power Initiative (OWPI) since its start in July 2000. A partnership between the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, OWPI investigates and promotes state wind energy resources. Commerce is also involved with groups such as the Oklahoma Renewable Energy Council (OREC).

According to David Fleischaker, Oklahoma Secretary of Energy, ''The wind energy industry is going to become important to our future in the same way the oil and gas industry always has been. A statewide wind energy conference coming up in December is one step we are taking to ensure everyone in the state is aware of the opportunities that surround us.''

''Commerce and its many partners are developing a complete vertical and horizontal strategy around our emerging wind energy industry,'' Shirley says.

Commerce, she says, is working with CareerTech and colleges and universities across the state to develop curriculums for industry-certified wind energy technicians and R&D capabilities. Commerce is also looking for synergies with the state's aerospace industry and finding that many of the skill sets needed for one field transfer to the next.

According to Dr. Glen Johnson, Chancellor of Higher Education, Oklahoma's colleges and universities are ready to help Oklahoma's wind energy industry develop to full capacity.

''The wind energy industry represents significant economic development potential for Oklahoma, and education will play a leading role in seeing that potential come to fruition,'' says Dr. Glen Johnson, Chancellor for the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. ''Oklahoma's colleges and universities can provide this industry with cutting edge research and development capabilities as well as playing a key role in developing the industry's future leaders and innovators.''

Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) recently unveiled a new Wind Turbine Technician program, which will be available this fall. OCCC also plans to expand the program next year to include two degree programs: an Associate in Applied Science-Technology and an Associate in Science-Technology.

''The program is designed to meet the needs of employers in this rapidly growing alternative energy segment and to offer students a rewarding new career opportunity,'' says John Claybon, OCCC Corporate Learning Consultant.

According to Dr. Phil Berkenbile, State Director of the Career and Technology Education Department, Oklahoma's technology centers are well-suited for ramping up quickly to meet the wind energy industry's training needs.

''Through its many niche programs, Oklahoma has truly become America's training ground,'' Berkenbile says. ''We are now looking for ways to build on what we have or develop what we need to provide the wind energy industry with quality, specialized workers.''

Examples of Oklahoma's niche training programs include the new Snap-On Diesel Diagnostic Training & Certification Center (the first in the nation) opening at CareerTech's Francis Tuttle; the National Center for Employee Development in Norman; and the various programs at the Oklahoma Air Logistics Center and the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center.

The Perfect Fit for Oklahoma's Highly-Skilled Manufacturing Workforce National occupational data demonstrate that the wind industry creates high-paying jobs, many of which use traditional manufacturing skills.

Oklahoma's leadership is confident it can recruit manufacturers that supply wind energy companies such as DMI Industries to take advantage of our state's highly-skilled manufacturing workers.

In announcing its first expansion just months after opening, DMI's General Manager Kevin Ishmael says this about Oklahoma's manufacturing workers: ''DMI assembled a tremendous workforce, bringing in people from a number of different manufacturing capacities and training them to meet DMI's tight demands. We couldn't be more proud of our workers and their accomplishments to date.''

Wind Energy Development Moving Now at a Rapid Pace
Pratt and Kimbrough, with the Commerce Site Selection Fast Forward Team, say Oklahoma's wind energy industry development is moving at a rapid pace.

Kimbrough points to public statements made recently by Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) and Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), which both plan to increase their renewable energy portfolios.

OGE Energy Corp., OG&E's parent company, and Electric Transmission America (ETA), a joint venture of subsidiaries of American Electric Power (AEP) and MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co., announced Tuesday, July 15 that the companies have formed Horizon Transmission LLC to construct high-capacity transmission line projects in western Oklahoma.

''Oklahoma again has an opportunity to grow its economy while delivering a highly valued resource to our region,'' says Pete Delaney, Chairman, President and CEO of OGE Energy Corp. ''These lines will not only help unlock the wind potential and opportunities for investment in Oklahoma, but also will provide a valuable renewable source of electricity to Oklahoma's utility customers. Wind energy has great value as a hedge against increasing natural gas prices and the potential cost associated with federal greenhouse gas legislation.''

PSO, which receives wind energy from the Weatherford Wind Energy Center; Blue Canyon II, north of Lawton; and Sleeping Bear, near Fort Supply, does not see its commitment to wind energy waning. On the contrary, PSO - a subsidiary of AEP - sees wind energy becoming a larger part of the utility's power portfolio.

''As the leading distributor of wind energy in Oklahoma, PSO is committed to the growth and development of wind energy and the wind energy industry,'' says Stan Whiteford, PSO Corporate Communications Specialist. ''PSO has nearly 400 MW of wind power under long-term contract for distribution to our customers, and we are currently seeking proposals for an additional 200 MW as we continue to add clean, renewable energy resources to our generation portfolio.''

Note to Editors and Broadcasters: The NREL information referenced above comes from ''20% Wind Energy by 2030'' and can be found at www.20percentwind.org.