Oklahoma Energy: Successful Past, Bright Future
By: Dana Murphy

In one hundred years Oklahoma has gone from being the new kid on the block to being a leader in energy. Most of us know the story of Oklahoma’s oil boom in the early 1900s. Back then Tulsa was the place for all things oil. Getty, Skelly, Kerr, McGee, Tom Slick, Helmerich and Payne…the list goes on and on of famous oil men turning black gold into jobs, revenue and a future for our state.

A century later the boom has moved from oil to natural gas and throughout Oklahoma. Chesapeake, Devon, Newfield, SandRidge and many others are the newest kids on the block, bringing jobs, taxes, royalty income and prosperity through new, unconventional reservoirs. Oil and natural gas again rank number one economically in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma continues to lead on the national energy front. Based on 2006 data, Oklahoma ranked third in natural gas production and fifth in oil production in the United States. Oklahoma State University, The University of Oklahoma and The University of Tulsa are among the elite universities educating tomorrow’s energy leaders. The Noble Foundation and other groups are at the forefront of developing today’s and tomorrow’s fuels. Consumers have benefited greatly, as Oklahoma’s energy prices consistently rank among the nation’s lowest.

While the fuel on the shelf is still natural gas and oil, keeping that fuel readily available involves more advanced technology and significantly greater expense. Oklahomans and Americans must encourage further domestic oil and gas development, and make more efficient use of these precious resources in our vehicles, homes and businesses.

In an era of declining oil and gas resources, alternative fuels are becoming more vital to our future. Currently, we’re developing wind power, solar energy, hydrogen power and bio fuels. Coal, once a staple of energy, is being reinvented through improving technology as a source of cleaner, increasingly efficient power.

Oklahomans have always been innovative, persevering and resourceful —a proud tradition which continues. With the potential to provide 10 percent of America’s electricity needs, Oklahoma already ranks sixth nationally for wind farm capacity. OG&E, AEP/PSO, the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority and a growing number of Oklahoma Electric Cooperatives are helping lead the way with wind power.

It’s up to Oklahoma to advance and maximize fossil fuel extraction, while simultaneously cultivating new energy sources. We have the talent, the will and the knowledge to make
Oklahoma a vital player on today’s and tomorrow’s world energy stage.
We must encourage our universities, energy companies and power providers to research, test and move to market, every form of viable, renewable energy possible.

Government has a significant role to play through working with the public and private sectors to initiate, facilitate and provide the right incentives for research and development. According to former Secretary of Energy Bob Sullivan, a significant, untapped Oklahoma resource also lies in utilizing the knowledge of senior managers and retirees of energy companies to help move us forward.

Challenge and excitement lie ahead for the energy industry and consumers alike. We’re watching the slow but steady addition of alternative fuels along with development of new unconventional reservoirs of oil and natural gas. Oklahoma, with its rich tradition of leadership in the energy industry, is poised to continue that greatness in the coming years.
The more we use power wisely and conserve, the more we lower our personal energy costs, protect our environment, maximize use of all energy forms and improve national security through reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

Working together, the people of Oklahoma and Oklahoma’s energy industry can lead our nation and the world to a future with exciting energy opportunities.

Dana Murphy is the former Vice Chairperson of the Oklahoma Republican Party. She is a candidate for Oklahoma Corporation Commission. She can be reached at dana@danamurphy.com.