Oklahoma City-based Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. (OG&E) has filed a renewable energy program with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission detailing its commitment to quadruple its wind energy capacity in the state to 770 MW.
The company plans to construct a high-capacity transmission line between Woodward and Oklahoma City to further develop the state's vast wind energy potential. The filing also includes a request to begin providing a renewable energy option that will allow more OG&E customers to choose up to 100% renewable energy.
‘OG&E is seeking permission to not only build the infrastructure requested to provide a much greater supply of wind energy, but also a tariff to enable our customers to be 100-percent green in their electricity purchase,’ says Pete Delaney, chairman, president and CEO of OGE Energy Corp. ‘Wind energy has great value as a hedge against increasing natural gas prices and the potential cost associated with federal greenhouse gas legislation.’
With approval from the commission, the OG&E renewable energy purchase program could be implemented early next year with the company's existing 170 MW of wind generation. The program would be expanded as new wind generation capacity comes online.
OG&E's application asks the commission to approve the cost to build the transmission line between Woodward and Oklahoma City; for a rider to allow recovery of costs for the transmission line beginning at the time it goes into service; and for approval of the proposed tariff.
OG&E is requesting an order from the commission by July 31 to keep the transmission line on schedule at the current costs and assure that the development of new wind farms can be coordinated effectively with the availability of new transmission capacity.
SOURCE Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co.
