Wind a welcome partner for many
In Goodwell, just a little southwest of Guymon, a windy day makes for a great day in our community.
Indeed, at Oklahoma Panhandle State University the wind is at our backs thanks to a high level of investment and collaboration among the Oklahoma wind industry, higher education and CareerTech. The momentum comes from recent announcements that $350,000 would be donated by wind developers and Public Service Co. of Oklahoma for job training and scholarships programs in the Oklahoma Panhandle.
The first wave of support came from Enel Green Power with a $150,000 investment in scholarships for wind energy and education majors at Panhandle State. This is the largest contribution from a wind developer in our university’s history. It’s worthwhile to note that $45,000 was designated by Enel toward education majors as a stout display of support for public education in Oklahoma.
The second wave of planned support came from PSO, Invenergy and GE Renewable Energy as partners in the proposed Wind Catcher Energy Connection. Wind Catcher is a proposed 2,000 megawatt wind farm and generation tie line that will lower the cost of electricity by an estimated $2 billion for Oklahomans. Pending regulatory approval, PSO and Invenergy have each committed to $100,000 in scholarships, while GE has committed to upgrading training equipment.
With this commitment, High Plains Technology Center will modernize and expand its existing wind technician program in Woodward and allow Panhandle State students to earn credit hours toward their associate degree. High Plains expects this will double the size of its enrollment in these programs.
Equally important to note, it’s not just our post-secondary institutions that are benefiting. Wind energy is also transforming our K-12 schools through skyrocketing ad valorem revenue in Panhandle communities.
This is a welcome trend, because for too long our best and brightest have left to pursue economic opportunities in other parts of the state or out of state. Now our students have a new career option with wind energy that pays an average of $51,000 as a starting salary. Wind Catcher alone will provide up to 80 permanent, well-paying jobs. All of this will be accomplished without the use state incentives.
Agriculture and oil and gas production will continue to be mainstays of rural Oklahoma. However, wind energy is a necessary economic jolt that complements these mainstays and insulates us from the boom and bust cycles of the past. Together wind, natural gas and agriculture are a powerful economic trifecta that can power our rural economies for decades to come.
As such, it is my hope that as the Corporation Commission considers the future of Wind Catcher, it takes into account not only the long-term benefits of cheap, abundant wind, but the needs of Goodwell, Guymon, Woodward and so many other rural communities desperate for this type of investment.
The wind industry is more than just turbines and transmission lines. It is a community partner investing in our way of life, our state, our workforce, our teachers and in post-secondary education. It is investing in Oklahoma’s future, one worthy of all Oklahomans’ support.