In 2017, we started developing a molecular source tracking program for identifying sources of fecal pollution in waterbodies so we could make informed management decisions to protect human health and mitigate nutrient loading in Northeast Oklahoma watersheds. In May 2023, we published our first peer-reviewed study in the international journal: Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, validating the scientific legitimacy of this program. We have been using this program to assist sister agencies with illegal and accidental human waste discharges into streams and lakes, as well as, to make informed watershed management decisions for mitigating agricultural fecal pollution in rural areas.

PSO initiated (2019– present) an energy efficiency program for the oil and gas industry to support a vital and hard-to-reach business sector important to the Oklahoma economy. The program provided rebates and engineering consulting services to improve operations by installing electric energy conservation measures and other non-energy environmental benefits. The program aims to target owners and operators of active oil and gas production wells in PSO’s service territory. To date PSO has provided these customers with $600,601 in rebates.

The program provided rebates up to 75% of the cost for measures listed above.  During the 2019-2021 cycle PSO provided $600,601 in rebates to customers and saved $420,000 on annual electric bills for the reduction of 5.3 million kWh and 583 kW per year.

PSO’s energy efficiency program must be approved by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission every 3 years.  The OCC has approved the oil and gas program for the current portfolio (2022-2024) based on the success achieved in the previous portfolio; therefore, the program is financially self-sustaining. As the industry continues to face challenges post-pandemic, PSO has an offering to help control costs.  PSO will continue to reach new customers and build on the relationship we have established with service provides to continue transforming the market.

OG&E has partnered with Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden to provide browse material from vegetation management activities as supplemental feed and enhance social activities of zoo animals. The browse program began with elephants and quickly expanded to bears, apes and hoof-stock. The partnership has expanded to providing “furniture” in the form of tree trunks and large branches for large avian species, as well as wire spools for goats. This partnership was initiated in April 2020 as a means to reduce the amount of vegetation waste going into the landfills while providing food for zoo animals.

The natural gas gathering and processing segment recently completed a project to replace natural gas compressors, which pressurize natural gas and enable it to efficiently flow through pipelines, with electric equipment at ONEOK’s Lindsay Booster Station in Lindsay, Oklahoma. Since the new electric engines produce no combustion-related emissions, ONEOK expects to reduce emissions by approximately 42,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) annually. The initial project planning took place in 2018 with project completion in June 2019.

A direct result of the Lindsay Booster Station becoming more efficient led to modifications at ONEOK’s Maysville Gas Plant. Originally, natural gas-driven engines pushed gas upstream from Lindsay to Maysville where Maysville would then compress before processing. The new electric equipment at Lindsay allows for enough high-pressure compression to bypass the compressors at Maysville before processing. This change allowed for the opportunity to reduce emissions at both facilities.

Due to the complete switch to electric, Lindsay went from a Title V source to a minor source of emissions. These major change at Lindsay and the compressor bypass at Maysville greatly reduced ONEOK’s overall greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), as well. In fact, this project alone reduces ONEOK’s CO2e emissions by approximately 42,000 metric tons of CO2e annually. This is equivalent to removing the CO2e emissions associated from 9,000 cars each year.  View Presentation

AES Shady Point (AESSP) located in LeFlore County conducted a test burn in 2017 of Tire Derived Fuels (TDF). With the involvement of DEQ and state tire processors AESSP purchased and utilized car tires from Oklahoma to replace some coal while reducing emissions, coal ash and reducing the amount of processed car tires going to state landfills or illegally dumped in streams.