Green Country Alternative Energy Expo Scheduled For Muskogee County Fairgrounds

Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and Tom Price, Chesapeake Energy’s senior vice-president for investor and government relations, will be the keynote speakers at the inaugural Green Country Alternative Expo to be held Oct. 2-4 at the Muskogee County Fairgrounds, which is bringing together experts from all across the state to discuss alternative fuel, energy research and options.

State Senator Earl Garrison, D-Muskogee, who is hosting the event, said Price will kick off the event by speaking on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 8:45 a.m. and by Lt. Gov. Jari Askins who will speak on Friday, Oct. 3 at 8:45 a.m. Both engagements will be held in the Performing Arts Building of the Muskogee Fairgrounds and are open to the public.

“We must stop our nation’s dependence on foreign oil and one of the best ways is through alternative fuels and energy,” Garrison said. “With this state’s natural resources combined with our expert knowledge in energy and agriculture, it positions Oklahoma to be a leader in helping to provide these alternative energy solutions. I believe this expo is a great opportunity to bring together researchers from various fields to discuss these issues and options. I want people to walk away from this conference with some hope for the future.”

The expo will also include morning and afternoon panel discussions Thursday and Friday with researchers from Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, and other energy experts including the Oklahoma Deputy Secretary of Energy to discuss alternative fuel and energy research taking place in the state through a number of arenas including the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center, wind power stations and compressed natural gas. The public is invited to attend.

Garrison said the expo will also give patrons an opportunity to browse through numerous exhibits in the Performing Arts building on wind energy, compressed natural gas, electric and hybrid vehicles, among others. Conference visitors will also be able to register to win free gas cards courtesy of Oklahoma Natural Gas.

David S. Fleischaker, Secretary of Energy for the State of Oklahoma hopes this expo will garner positive discussion about what alternative energy and fuel research can do to help this nation.

“Real change takes root at the local level and it is through efforts like the Muskogee Energy Expo that we as policy makers educate our fellow citizens so they can make informed decisions on their alternative energy options,” Fleischaker said.