The Oklahoman:

Oklahoma’s use of wind energy to generate electricity continues to increase. A record 40.2% of all state’s generated energy in 2019 was powered by renewable technology, Oklahoma Power Alliance representatives announced Tuesday during a Clean Energy Day at the state Capitol.

In 2018, Oklahoma’s wind farms generated about 36% of the energy created inside the state, up from 33% the previous year.

“This data tells a strong story” about Oklahoma’s continued leadership in renewable energy deployment, Mark Yates, vice president of the Advanced Power Alliance and its policy director in Oklahoma, said Tuesday. He noted wind’s use to generate electricity in Oklahoma during the year only was surpassed by natural gas, which generated another 46.3%.

Alliance data showed Oklahoma ranked second among U.S. states for 2019 for the amount of energy its wind farms generated, and third for the amount of wind capacity installed. The alliance estimates more than $20 billion has been invested in renewable projects within the state.

It also issued data showing the industry’s completed wind projects are ranked as a top-three taxpayer in 19 Oklahoma counties and 65 Oklahoma school districts. Projects’ owners made about $51 million in land lease payments to farmers and ranchers throughout 26 of Oklahoma’s counties in 2019. “These investments continue to transform Oklahoma’s rural economies by offering new career opportunities, circulating new income, creating sales tax revenue, and providing valuable ad valorem,” he said.

[Jack Money]

More: Backers of renewable energy highlight industry’s growth at Capitol event Tuesday