“The increase of demand is real,” declared Oklahoma Energy Secretary Jeff Starling at the start of a Wednesday Senate Energy Committee interim hearing into the state’s wind and solar farm development.
Chaired by Sen. Casey Murdock (R-Felt) the committee spent 3 hours Wednesday morning hearing comments from supporters and those who contend there is a need for wind and solar farm development in order to meet the demands of data and AI centers and industrial growth in the state.
Starling and his Deputy of Business Development & Policy, Chris Schinnerer went into detail about the growth of reliable energy in the state and its contributions to the Southwest Power Pool. Schinnerer, using a chart, also made it clear that on August 21 of this year at 6 in the evening, gas and coal produced 90% of the electricity needed.
But it is the growth of data centers and their need for huge amounts of electricity that has the attention of leaders.
“We can look for more investment in Oklahoma with data centers,” cautioned Stirling.
It prompted Sen. Murdock to declare, “We as a state cannot depend on renewables. Rather than all of the above, as cited by the governor and others, it should be all hands on deck. The demand is rolling fast and rolling hard.”
Renewable energy had its defenders including Alan Anderson, a shareholder and Chair of Poisinelli’s Energy Practice Group. He presented studies that determined the fallacies of some of the myths about wind farms and solar farms such as sound.
“There is no association between wind turbine noise and health effects,” he said, adding, “solar is incredibly safe.”
Anderson, an attorney, also used writings by James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution” to point to property rights and the ability of landowners to use their land for renewable energy projects.
“Property rights are fundamental to liberty,” he added.
Former Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth, an attorney who is also President and Founder of A New Energy, LLC, urged strong support of renewable energy in the state.
“Is this the moment to regulate solar? Is this the moment to regulate battery storage,” he asked, adding that renewable energy provides a “beautiful mix for us.”
Roth also represented NextEra Energy in its lawsuit challenging the Wagoner County Commissioners over their denial of a permit for a proposed 5,000-acre solar farm near the town of Porter. The case is still in court.
Roth argued against more regulations such as setback requirements and other restrictions on renewable energy development.
“We should want more of it. We should expand energy options for Oklahoma and not limit them,” continued Roth, pointing to what he referred to as “fake airports” created to curtail the growth of some wind farms in the state.
“Please be the carpenter who measures twice and cuts once,” he implored as members of the Senate Committee listened. “We could be the top ten in solar energy one day.”
He again cautioned the legislators about too many restrictions affecting development in the state.
“Please be cautious of creating regulations…you can’t unring a bell if it’s been rung wrong.”
Landowners also spoke in defense of their property rights and their right to make their land available for wind farms and solar projects.
Mattie Daily, a landowner from Vinita, argued it was her family’s farm and they should have the right to do as they wish.
“I’m tired of the fight over renewable energy. I wonder when it will end and I’m tired of the disrespect.”
Another property rights defender was Dr. Barry Pollard, who is also a landowner and farmer. Joining him was Dr. Shannon Ferrelll, Professor of Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University.
Sen. Murdock indicated the hearing produced information that was needed.
“There is a growing need for more power generation. There is a bigger draw on our grid system and we’e got a need, a growing need.”