"Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains."

Years ago, these were just words from a song by Rodgers and Hammerstein's famous musical "Oklahoma," but now they could mean cheaper and more environmentally friendly power for the state.

When OG&E Energy Corp. first started offering its wind energy option, customers were not saving any money, said Sandra Longcrier, OG&E spokeswoman.

But with natural gas prices rising and the company working to improve wind power, customers are also seeing a financial benefit to wind powered energy, said Mark Sharfman, associate professor of strategic management and an OG&E customer.

Sharfman said his family signed up to receive wind power from OG&E a year ago. Originally, they paid about two cents per kilowatt-hour, amounting to about $20 to $30 extra per bill. In his most recent bill, however, he got $5 more than the extra paid, he said.

Knowing the state of wind power and rising natural gas prices, Sharfman said he and his family expected to benefit directly from the arrangement.

"I just didn't think it would happen this quickly," he said with a laugh.

So many people have wanted a share of OG&E's 50 MW wind supply that OG&E started a waiting list for citizens hoping to receive some wind power, Longcrier said.

OU's Norman campus subscribes to 100 percent wind power for electricity it receives from OG&E, Longcrier said.

Only 1 percent of OG&E power comes from wind, but because of the booming industry, OG&E is trying to close a deal allowing it to build its own wind farm near Weatherford, Longcrier said.

The deal should go through by February, and the plan is expected to be executed by January 2007. OG&E's wind farm will produce 120 MW of energy and the company will still receive the 50 MW from the Oklahoma Wind Energy Center in Weatherford, Longcrier said.

About 8,500 customers have chosen to promote the environmentally friendly option, even when they were not saving any money, Longcrier said.

In addition to new economic benefits, wind power produces no pollution, said Mark Meo, professor of civil engineering and environmental science.
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