OKLAHOMA CITY, — Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) has officially announced that it has received two awards in recognition of the company’s ongoing environmental efforts. For the second consecutive year, Cogent Reports and Market Strategies International (MSI) have named OG&E an environmental champion for its support in promoting a clean environment. And, Keep Oklahoma Beautiful recently named OG&E recipient of its 2016 Vanguard Award for leading the way in responsible adoption of solar technology in Oklahoma.
OG&E’s environmental record is well established and includes a pioneering entry into renewable energy – beginning in 2002 as Oklahoma’s first utility to launch wind power, and again in 2016 as the state’s first utility to launch solar power. Also in a strong partnership with Clean Cities, OG&E is paving the way for electric vehicles in and beyond its service territory. The company began by transitioning some of its own fleet of cars to EV and plans to transition more in the coming years.
Keep Oklahoma Beautiful presented the Vanguard award to OG&E, “an organization that embraces cutting-edge technologies and concepts in support of sustainable energy for a clean planet,” and said, “Their work shows a positive example of an energy company using responsible methods of energy production.”
Cogent surveyed nearly 55,000 residential electric, natural gas and combination utility customers for the 130 largest U.S. utility companies. Thirty-two made the list of environmental champions voted by their customers as having exceptional dedication to the environment.
In an MSI Cogent press release announcing those awarded, MSI said customers report the most important cause their utility should support is promoting a ‘clean environment,’ which means they are are open to utilities promoting environmental activities within their local communities.
“Customers who use utility offerings around distributed energy, consumption management and solar have a higher appreciation for their utility’s environmental efforts,” said MSI Senior VP Chris Oberle.
OG&E offers customers a variety of options, including an innovative and award-winning demand response program called SmartHours®, which is a variable peak pricing program that more than 115,000 customers have enrolled in since its debut in 2012. In addition, OG&E offers customers wind and solar power, and is a strong supporter of electric vehicles and EV technology. Just last month, OG&E announced it has installed an EV charging station as a pilot program at one location of Oklahoma-based convenience store retailer OnCue Express.
“We’re proud of our strong environmental record at OG&E, and these awards help us know not only that we’re on the right track, but also that we have an opportunity to increase customers’ awareness of our efforts,” said Randy Swanson, spokesman for OG&E.
