Tulsa World: Langston seeks to go into wind-farm business

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Langston seeks to go into wind-farm business
The university would provide the land for a $420 million venture.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Langston University President JoAnn Haysbert: "We are the only historically black university in the nation that is wind-accessible, as far as owning land. It's uncharted territory," she told A&M regents Friday. Langston wants to partner with a Canadian firm to build the wind farm on 19,000 acres of university-owned property in the Oklahoma Panhandle.

By SUSAN SIMPSON NewsOK.com
Published: 7/25/2009 4:12 AM
Last Modified: 7/25/2009 5:18 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY — Langston University wants to partner with a Canadian company to build a $420 million wind farm on 19,000 acres of university-owned property in the Panhandle.

Langston would be equal partners with Green Breeze Energy of Toronto in a venture called NewCo.

Langston President JoAnn Haysbert said the deal could bring in $50 million to the university in the first few years of operation.

In addition to providing land, Langston would seek as much as $800,000 in government grants for the project.

The Oklahoma State University A&M regents heard about the plan during a meeting Friday in Oklahoma City but tabled approval because they want more information about Green Breeze Energy.

Regent Fred Boettcher said the proposal sounds too good to be true.

"It's just mind-boggling," he said.

Haysbert said Langston is being visionary and has been in talks with Green Breeze for three years.

"We are the only historically black university in the nation that is wind-accessible, as far as owning land," she said. "It's uncharted territory."

Most of Langston's land is in Cimarron County. Regents are expected to reconsider the proposal at their Sept. 11 meeting.

OSU animal disease lab: Also Friday, regents began the search for an architect to design a $15 million animal disease diagnostic laboratory on the OSU campus in Stillwater. OSU has applied for federal stimulus money to build the lab.

OSU President Burns Hargis said several major building projects will open next month, including the $8.6 million restoration of Old Central, the oldest college building in the state. Old Central will house OSU's Honor College.

Other projects include the expanded school of architecture and renovations to Murray Hall, a former dormitory now used for academics.

ssimpson@opubco.com By SUSAN SIMPSON NewsOK.com

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	Report Comment Norm, (7/25/2009 3:16:13 PM) Wind Energy is HORRIBLY inefficient - and has almost ZERO ROI. Earlier this month, I drove right through the middle of the Sweetwater, TX windfarm (one of the largest in the world). Hardly 10% of the windmills were even turning! Those that were turning, weren't turning very fast. (I have it on video) I doubt they were putting out enough energy to cook the Jumbo Jack w/cheese that I ordered (why, oh why, don't we have Jack in the Box here???). Now - think of the "Carbon Footprint" that was created in: 1) Mining, trucking and smelting the minerals to make the Steel for the towers, and the aluminum for the blades. 2) Trucking the steel/aluminum to be manufactured into windmills. 3) Manufacturing the parts/turbines (manufacturing electrical parts generates HUGE amounts of mercury and lead pollution!). 4) Trucking the disassembled parts to their location. It takes a MINIMUM of 6 Semi-loads to transport the parts - and since they are LARGE, each truck requires two escort trucks. 5) The amount of heavy equipment required to clear/dig the installation site - AND to install the numerous (and unsightly) power trees to support the miles of METAL wire that has to be manufactured to move the power from source to station. Wind energy "sounds" good - until you actually look at it.
	Report Comment DeeBee, (7/25/2009 3:32:54 PM) This doesn't surprise me at all. LU is quickly rising to become an academic power house for Oklahoma and the world. I have a nephew starting there this fall and he couldn't have made a better choice at a better time. LU is on the rise. Dr. Haysbert is ahead of the 10 year vision she had for the school.
	Report Comment mayor_maynot, Tulsa (7/26/2009 6:18:23 PM) Wind is a good energy supplement with solar as a primary. There is a nasty side with batteries and all. Solar is an overall stronger package in delivery of energy to the grid.

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