PSO To Offer More Wind Power To Customers

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Public Service Company of Oklahoma says it will soon offer more wind power to its customers, but it's going to cost you a little extra.

Oklahoma energy companies have long been working to harness the wind that famously comes sweeping down its plain.

"Oklahomans overwhelmingly support renewable energy, particularly wind energy," said Stan Whiteford, PSO Spokesperson. "There's a strong, strong support for that in Oklahoma."

That support, says PSO, has motivated the company to use more wind to account for more of its electricity needs. Currently, 12 percent of its power comes from wind farms. That number will increase by the end of the year.

PSO has agreed to purchase energy purchased from a new wind farm currently under construction near Minco, southwest of Oklahoma City.

"There is a lot of wind energy out in Western Oklahoma," Whiteford said. "It's a great resource and we're trying to use it appropriately and particularly when it's a beneficial cost, a good cost for our customers."

Customers interested in going green will be given the option of purchasing power from the wind farm when it goes online. That is expected to happen by late this year, or early next year.

It will cost you a little extra though, $1.72 per 100 kilowatts.

Despite the cost, PSO says wind will continue to play a more prominent role in Oklahoma's energy future.

"This is an opportunity for us to expand what we're doing and respond to customer demand at the same time," Whiteford said.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission still has to approve the deal. PSO says it expects that to happen within the next few months.