One of the largest energy consumers in Oklahoma are our schools, with thousands of buildings across the state. One of the largest school districts in the state seems they are finally getting serious about saving energy. All the budget problems that have befallen our public schools are not their fault - they're just playing the hand they've been dealt. One part of the budget that has always been certain is operating expenses, it just costs a certain amount to open the doors to the kids.
The City of Norman approved a resolution to transition to renewable energy by 2035. Although the resolution was approved unanimously, it is not binding on the city long-term. The resolution distinguishes two sectors of energy: electricity and heat & transportation, with the more urgent emphasis on electricity generated by clean renewable sources. They resolve to be fully renewable for heat and transportation by 2050. Norman joins 68 other cities across the US in this important commitment to renewable energy.
While things are changing here in Oklahoma, some things stay the same. Attacks on the wind industry are as constant as the wind itself, reliably coming each spring with the legislative session. The latest gust has come through SB888; originally a bill to end the ethanol tax credit, the latest iteration would have ended the refundability of the Wind Tax Credit beginning January 1, 2019.
The Oklahoma Renewable Energy Council fulfilled a major part of its mission this week. OREEP (the Oklahoma Renewable Energy Education Program) held their first ever teacher workshop. The goal of OREEP is to get renewable energy curriculum into the classroom. They're achieving the goal by giving renewable energy kits to teachers and instructing them how to educate their students on the subject using STEM principles.
This marks the end of an era of trying to build this HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) transmission line from wind rich Oklahoma to wind hungry South East United States. There were some controversial elements to the project, including eminent domain being used in Arkansas. The Arkansas Congressional delegation called the decision a "victory for the states," but that ignores the position of the other states that lose in this decision. Clean Line says "the project is still viable but is moving at a slower pace now."
Check out the March meeting minutes HERE to see what we discussed at our last monthly meeting. If you see any changes that need to be made, or have anything to add, please email OREC2006@gmail.com or come to our April meeting where we will vote to approve the minutes.
Our annual OREC bill tracker is now live. Let your representative know how you feel about the legislation by phone or email, they will never know if you do not speak up. Click Here to find your representative and their contact information. If you have a request for any other bill to be tracked, please email to OREC2006@gmail.com.
We had a successful board election at our February meeting. Six (6) new board members were elected by the general membership, then the new board met and elected its officers.
Board members rotating off: Curtis Chambers, Doug Weirick, Len Nones, Nina Carlson, Steve Sadler, Greg Adams
Board members staying on: Tyson Taussig, Stephanie Rainwater
We are having our annual board elections, this February. We will post a list of all OREC members that are eligible to be board members, here, before the meeting. One requirement is to have attended an OREC meeting in the past year. Our next meeting, and the last opportunity to be qualified will be at our January meeting (1/10/18 at 4pm at UCO, after our energy conference). Please email the OREC if you would like to express your interest beforehand at orec2006@gmail.com
