Energy Legislation Makes Progress

State Rep. Mike Thompson

Thompson addressed the Energy Advocates luncheon Friday at the Petroleum Club.

"That is getting a lot of attention," Thompson said.

It is estimated that the state's baseload supply will max out in 2020 and the state needs to be prepared, he said. Oklahoma has two primary sources of energy today — coal and natural gas. It is important to start now, because it takes 10 to 12 years to build a nuclear plant.

Legislation that would streamline the review process for nuclear power plants passed the Oklahoma House earlier this session. The proposal is one of several pieces of legislation supported by Republican House leaders that emphasize alternative forms of energy, including nuclear, wind, solar and compressed natural gas, as a way to ease the state and nation's dependence on foreign energy sources and advance the state as an energy leader.

"Oklahoma has to make sure that the baseload is diversified," he said. Natural gas is a good supply when the price is under $4 per 1,000, "it is certainly much better than natural gas being at $12."

The state is working to create incentives, to attract wind turbine blade manufacturers, he said.

"The blades are not being made here and we ought these manufacturers here — we certainly have of plenty of wind — I mean it is in our state song."

HB 1953 would make companies that support, repair and maintain service activities for wind energy companies eligible for the state’s Quality Jobs Act. The bill seeks to attract companies to Oklahoma involved in all aspects of wind energy. Also, the House has passed a bill to encourage use of CNG.

An issue is getting the electrical power from the windmills to the end user.

"Everyone wants wind energy, but no one wants the transmission lines — the argument is over whose backyard it goes in," Thompson said.

The legislature is also working to extend incentives on horizontal drilling. The drilling boom in southeast Oklahoma in the Woodford Shale region has been the result of tax incentives.

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