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Energy efficiency is blowing through Tulsa.
Tulsa’s first certified “green” house is opening for tours this week. Not to be confused with a structure for growing plants, this house is green because it uses less energy and water. In fact, it is certified under the national LEED qualifications (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). This project joins the similarly certified NINE Project Lofts, which opened last spring. Tulsa is finally entering the green residential building arena.
Local projects such as these and the growing number of accredited green building professionals — 60 at the architectural and engineering firm Crafton Tull Sparks alone — highlight the economic opportunity presented by the transition to a more energy-efficient and clean-powered community.
Luckily, and perhaps because of the hard-headedness of our forebears, we live in a state particularly well suited for anything having to do with wind. The American Wind Energy Association ranks Oklahoma as eighth in wind power potential. Moreover, Jim Roth, former Oklahoma corporation commissioner, proposes that investing in the necessary transmission infrastructure will allow Oklahoma to continue our legacy as an energy-providing state, even exporting wind power beyond our borders.
Legacies generally sound great in hindsight, but our state’s relationship with fossil fuels hasn’t always been smooth. Renewable energy sources, by definition, do not diminish with use. Naturally, there are variances in the wind, both day-to-day and by season, but there is no equivalent to an oil well that eventually — and irrevocably — dries up. Of course, the excitement of finding a real gusher will have to be relegated to the history books. But when was the last time that happened? Was it before or after CITGO moved to Houston?
Renewable energy — produced locally — also provides jobs. OSU-Oklahoma City and Oklahoma City Community College have both started wind energy technician training programs in the past couple of years. Given Tulsa’s strong vocational training infrastructure, it would be exciting to see Tulsa Tech start a similar program. In the meantime, well-established local family businesses, such as Sun City Solar, are helping consumers and businesses install their own on-site solar heat and electricity systems.
For the average Tulsan, the best opportunity to green your energy scene is close to home — in your home, actually. While using renewable energy is a worthy goal — and you are getting a little bit right from AEP-PSO — each homeowner or renter has the opportunity to decrease his or her utility bills almost immediately by using energy more efficiently. Sure, you try to turn off lights that you aren’t using, but is your attic leaking out 20 percent of your air conditioning? In 95-degree, muggy Tulsa heat, that is a disturbing possibility that threatens both the environment and — let’s not mince words — your bank account. See what you can do to save energy and lower your utility bills by reviewing this U.S. Department of Energy checklist.
So, keep turning off unused lights; it saves money and helps keep our air both breathable and clean. Furthermore, don’t think the new clean economy has to be all about sacrifice. With green job training programs, solar power entrepreneurs and 831 MW of wind power currently online, Oklahomans are already realizing some of the benefits of this transition. Hopefully, in the coming months, more Tulsans with entrepreneurial spirits — and a touch of foresight — will see this opportunity and act to make our community more efficient and healthy. Remember, when the wind comes sweeping down the plains, Oklahoma reaps both economic and environmental benefits.
Claire Roby is carbon accounting coordinator at Clean Air-Cool Planet, a nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying pragmatic solutions to global climate change. She is also an active member of the Sustainability Crew of Tulsa’s Young Professionals.
