The winter winds are expected to start blowing this week, just in time to remind us to get those leaves out of our yards. It's also a reminder of the energy potential of wind.
Oklahoma ranks second among U.S. states in its potential for wind energy development. The state has wind farms that supply the power grid with mor ethan 1,000 of renewable energy. Gov. Brad Henry said the state could conceivably supply 10 percent of the country's electricity needs.
Besides the jobs created in manufacturing and maintaining the wind generators, the industry brings home royalty income for landowners. It has the potential to pay sustainable "green" bucks to property owners.
The state will sponsor a conferene on wind energy Dec. 2 and 3 in Oklahoma City. OKWindrevolution.com will draw experts from utilities, royalty groups and environmental and wildlife groups from throughout the state.
Although wind and solar are clean, renewable sources of power, they currently only provide less than two percent of the nation's energy needs.
