Across the nation, more than 4,500 megawatts (MW) of wind power projects are under construction and expected to be operational by early 2008. The state has 700+ MW of wind generation currently in operation. The Southwest Power Pool, a regional transmission organization, expects its 9-state region to produce 8,500 MW of wind power, with more than half coming from Oklahoma, between 2020 and 2025. Most of the state's major electric utilities offer wind energy to their customers, and Oklahoma boasts enough potential wind resources to supply 9% of the country's electricity needs.

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce, through the Oklahoma State Energy Office, promotes the development of alternative energy by providing information, resources, and tools you can use to:

• Determine a specific location's wind potential
• Build a locally owned community wind farm
• Benefit from tax incentives, credits, and find financial resources
• Find equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and project developers
• Purchase green energy
• Install a wind turbine to meet the energy needs of your home, business, or school.

Resources:

5 Reasons to Locate Your Wind Manufacturing Company in Oklahoma

Oklahoma Wind Speed & Power Density Maps

American Wind Energy Association, a trade organization representing wind power project developers, equipment suppliers, service providers, utilities, researchers, and others; Provides easy-to-understand and comprehensive Wind Energy Fact Sheets and the comprehensive Wind Energy Siting Handbook.

Interstate Renewable Energy Council, an organization dedicated to moving renewable energy resources into the marketplace by providing technical assistance, workforce development, and the adoption and implementation of guidelines and standards.

National Wind Coordinating Collaborative (NWCC) provides brief updates on orders from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) concerning wind power, pending legislation, industry reports, and the organization's working groups, which deal with transmission and distribution issues.

Oklahoma Wind Power Initiative, a joint project between the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University to promote wind power development; provides information and a variety of services to landowners, policymakers, and others.

Oklahoma Renewable Energy Council, a coalition of individuals, companies, organizations, and agencies to promote the development of renewable energy resources such as wind and biofuels.

"Oklahoma Innovations, 7/27/08," Oklahoma's only science radio magazine, looks at how the shift to wind power is gaining momentum as utility companies and turbine manufacturers see an opportunity to profit from alternative energy sources.

Wind Powering America Program, a collection of wind maps, small wind project guides, wind fact sheets, Native American wind energy information, and more.

Windustry's "Leasing Your Land to a Wind Project Developer," a series on how to set up lease agreements with wind power project developers, which includes an overview of land leases, lease guidelines, best practices, sample compensation packages, and advice on how to renegotiate a wind-land lease. 

More Energy & Conservation Resources

Incentives:

Oklahoma's pro-business attitude and nationally-recognized incentive program mean we're ready to do business. Oklahoma's business incentive program offers you a choice of up to 5% cash back quarterly of new taxable payroll (Quality Jobs) or a tax credit on investment or new jobs (Investment/New Jobs Tax Credit). Additionally, a 5-Year Ad Valorem Property Tax Exemption is available for qualifying manufacturing companies.

2010 Oklahoma Business Incentives and Tax Information Guide

Other Key Sales Tax Exemptions/Credits (Federal and State):

• Exemptions for processing machinery and equipment and electricity, fuel and other tangible property used in manufacturing.
• Interstate 1-800, WATS, and private-line business telecommunications systems.
• Zero-Emissions Tax Credit: to apply for this incentive, you'll need to complete a one-page form from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. The form is called the Zero-Emission Facility Determination Request. There's no fee for processing this form.
• Net Metering Incentive: The Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) requires investor-owned utilities and electric cooperatives under its jurisdiction to file net-metering tariffs for customer-owned renewable-energy systems and combined-heat-and-power (CHP) facilities up to 100 kW in capacity. Contacts: George Kiser, OCC, 405-521-6878, g.kiser@occemail.com; Mike Bergey, Bergey Wind Power Co., 405-364-4212, mbergey@bergey.com.
• Freeport Inventory Benefits: Oklahoma's Freeport Law exempts from taxation goods, wares, and merchandise that come from outside the state and leave the state within nine months if those goods, wares, and merchandise are held for assembly, storage, manufacturing, processing, or fabricating purposes within the state. Contact: Oklahoma Tax Commission, 405-521-3178, helpmaster@oktax.state.ok.us. For forms, visit www.oktax.state.ok.us or contact a local county assessor to discuss what property may qualify for exemption.
• Industrial Access Road Assistance: (Limited under Option 1: Quality Jobs).
• Foreign Trade Zones: If you conduct international business, locating in one of Oklahoma's four FTZs saves you money and helps you take advantage of efficiencies in customs procedures.   
• Local Incentives: Several Oklahoma communities offer substantial local incentive packages that include financing, buildings, and sites.
• Federal incentives include the following:
  Production Tax Credit: the current PTC value is 2 cents/kWh of electricity produced. The PTC was renewed for 3 years through the end of 2012 by Congress as part of the 2009 stimulus package. The package also offers an option to elect a 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) in place of the PTC; an option to convert the ITC into a grant for projects placed in service in 2009, or 2010, or placed in service before 2013 provided construction begins in 2009 or 2010; and a new $6 billion DOE renewable energy and transmission loan guarantee program, which should fund around $60 billion in principal amount of guaranteed loans.
  DSIRE Incentive Database: provides details on corporate depreciation and exemption; corporate tax credits; and federal grant and loan programs.
  American Indian Lands Tax Credits: provides an accelerated federal property depreciation schedule; federal employment tax credits of up to $4,000 per qualifying employee per year; and savings of up to 35% to 40% in depreciation of equipment. 

New Residential Wind Investment Tax Credit Now Available

The $700 billion federal bailout for the nation's financial sector included a new residential wind investment tax credit of $1,000 per kilowatt of capacity, up to $4,000 on available small wind turbine units installed through 2016.