The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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September 2, 2010

Wind energy forum slated to be held with Kites Over Enid

By Joe Malan, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID — Enid Regional Development Alliance is hosting its second Wind Forum this year, and Brent Kisling, executive director, is ready to announce some speakers.

“We got word (Tuesday) that our keynote speaker is Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce Natalie Shirley,” Kisling said.

The Wind Forum will be 1-5 p.m. Sept. 24 and is in conjunction with Kites Over Enid, which will be Sept. 25.

Last year, Kisling invited speakers from around the region to talk about how wind energy and transmission lines could benefit Oklahoma.

This year’s theme will be “Wind energy: What’s in it for me?” Kisling said the theme goes along with the development alliance’s attempt to create a more local focus for the Wind Forum this year.

In addition to Shirley, other speakers at the Wind Forum will include Mario Hurtado of Clean Line Energy Partners in Houston and speakers from TradeWind Energy and RES Americas.

TradeWind and RES Americas have rented land in Garfield County that may be used for building wind turbines.

Kisling said there also will be a landowner from Lawton who will speak at the forum. He said the landowner has built wind turbines and will speak about the land-leasing process.

Kisling added he is working on rounding up more speakers for the event.

Anyone can attend the Wind Forum, and it is free to the public. All they have to do is RSVP to Lisa Powell at the development alliance, 233-4232 or e-mail powell@growenid.com.

Following the forum speakers, Rib Crib will provide dinner, which also will be free. Trick kite flyers will perform at 5:30 p.m.

Kisling said he hopes to see lots of people there.

“The most important thing (people) can take away (from the Wind Forum) is there is wind development in this area, and it is something that can be beneficial to the region and to landowners and business owners in the area as well,” Kisling said.

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