Roth: Forums fuel for new energy pathway
By Jim Roth | October 24, 2011
Long known as an “Energy State,” Oklahoma over its first century has become both a large exporter and a large importer of various forms of energy and fuels.
But like most of us as we grow up, Oklahoma is now spending some time soul-searching for what it wants out of its own future. More of the same, which we can be proud of, or perhaps a newer energy pathway that makes us and future generations even more proud?
There are a few energy forums occurring in Oklahoma over the next two months that invite your attendance to learn, participate and encourage the future path for our state and its energies.
On Saturday, the Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club will be hosting its “Oklahoma’s Energy Future Forum” from 8:30 am to 3 p.m. at the Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City campus. Hosted by the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign, this daylong event promises a thorough examination of why Oklahoma imports such massive amounts of out-of-state coal to power our electricity when we have such massive amounts of cleaner natural gas and wind available within our state.
“Oklahoma is at an energy crossroads,” conference organizers said.
If you would like to attend and offer your suggestions for which direction is best for Oklahoma, visit www.sierraclub.org/coal/ok and find out how.
On Nov. 9, also in Oklahoma City, our state’s exceptional Secretary of Energy Mike Ming will serve as lead host for the Governor’s Energy Conference, a daylong event at the Cox Business Center in downtown. The Governor’s Energy Conference is sponsored by the Karl F. & June S. Martin Family Foundation, the Office of the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Oklahoma City University’s Meinders School of Business. It will feature thoughtful, newly released input from leading natural gas industry executives, prominent national experts from MIT and the Colorado School of Mines, and other industry experts who will share their thoughts on current energy issues.
Gov. Mary Fallin and Ming are to be commended for marshaling such prominent voices for Oklahoma’s consideration of its energy policies going forward.
While we as a state have a tremendous amount of energy insight to lend to others, we also always have room to learn from experiences elsewhere. I am thankful that our state is exploring this deeply, so we can craft an energy future that builds the brightest future for our economy and our ecology.
Please consider getting involved and attending these conferences and any other opportunities to grow your knowledge and to amplify your voice.
Jim Roth, a former Oklahoma corporation commissioner, is an attorney with Phillips Murrah P.C. in Oklahoma City, where his practice focuses on clean, green energy for Oklahoma.