Air Quality and Climate Stewardship
More than Clean Air
More than simply complying with regulatory requirements, we ensure our plants operate as efficiently and reliably as possible to reduce emissions and deliver dependable, low-cost electricity to our customers.
Evolution of a Clean, Diverse, Cost Effective Generation Fleet
In our more than 119 years of providing power to Oklahoma and western Arkansas, our generation fleet has evolved to meet the demands of all those we serve within our communities.
Knowing that air emissions are a byproduct of using fossil fuels to generate electricity, we’ve put technology and practices in place that make a meaningful contribution to improving our ambient air quality footprint. With a commitment to compliance with regulatory requirements, we ensure our plants operate as efficiently and reliably as possible to reduce emissions yet continue to deliver reliable, low-cost electricity to our customers.
OG&E continuously reviews plans to meet the increasing demands of its customers and a growing state with newer, more efficient and lower-emitting technology. Over 1,800 megawatts, or nearly one-quarter of the generating fleet under OG&E’s operational control consists of high efficiency natural gas-fueled combined cycle turbines.
We’ve also added more than 790 MW of wind power. During 2019, OG&E wind energy accounted for more than 10 percent of Oklahoma’s total wind capacity. In 2015, we added 2.5 MW of small-scale universal solar energy to our generating fleet, and in 2018, we completed a new 10-megawatt solar power plant in Covington, Oklahoma, capable of generating enough electricity to serve the needs of over 10,000 average Oklahoma homes. Subscriptions to our solar capacity were sold out before the Covington project was finished.
In 2020 we added two solar farms in southeast Oklahoma and we’re continuing our solar expansion with our first solar farm in Arkansas. It is currently in the construction phase and we expect it to be operational in the second half of 2021.
Commitment to Emissions Reductions
Through the years, emissions have dropped more than 40 percent for the key pollutants from our generating fleet. Over the last few years, we’ve invested more than $700 million in emissions control improvements at our power plants and converted 40 percent of our coal-fueled fleet to natural gas.
Our actions to date reinforce our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint. Today, we are at the forefront of our industry. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions have decreased by approximately 90%, nitrogen oxide (NOx) by approximately 75% and carbon dioxide (CO2) by over 40%, below 2005 levels. As part of our continuous and sustainable decline in emissions over time, we expect to reduce our CO2 emissions to 50% below 2005 levels by 2030.
OG&E announced it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle fleets an estimated 60% by 2030. To achieve the goal, we will replace 50 percent of our light-duty vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs) by 2025 and 100 percent by 2030. We also will purchase more fuel-efficient medium- and heavy-duty trucks and, where possible, reduce engine idling emissions by using Electric Power Take Off (ePTO) systems. ePTO powers aerial buckets, cranes, hoists, augurs, and other large vehicle-mounted equipment with electricity instead of a diesel fueled engine. These actions will reduce GHG emissions by reducing or eliminating the consumption of energy from non-renewable sources such as gasoline and diesel fuel.
Advanced Emissions Monitoring Verification
Each of our plants uses state-of-the-art, EPA-certified Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS), which measure the products of combustion in our power plants around the clock. An integral part of our emission reduction strategy, CEMS allows us to verify compliance and quantify the emission reductions we invest in on behalf of our communities. The sensitivity is remarkable – for example, CEMS measures the presence of mercury down to parts per billion (ppb) levels. A concentration of 1 ppb is roughly equivalent to 1 second in 32 years.
Emissions data from OG&E’s fossil generation fleet is reported on an on-going basis to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) as well as the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is publicly available here: https://ampd.epa.gov/ampd/
We know the steps we take today make an impact on the entire well-being of the communities we serve–whether it’s providing cleaner air, lower cost energy or reliable electric delivery. It’s part of our commitment to balancing the delivery of reliable and reasonably priced electricity with our responsibility to the environment.
Climate Stewardship
We have a dual responsibility to protect our natural resources and to provide safe, reliable and reasonably priced power.
Climate Stewardship
We have a dual responsibility to protect our natural resources and to provide safe, reliable and reasonably priced power.
Air Quality
OG&E’s commitment to being a responsible corporate steward of the environment is due to a blend of smart choices: fuel diversity, technology improvement, educational and community outreach and, going beyond compliance with regulatory requirements when beneficial to all stakeholders.
Air Quality
OG&E’s commitment to being a responsible corporate steward of the environment is due to a blend of smart choices: fuel diversity, technology improvement, educational and community outreach and, going beyond compliance with regulatory requirements when beneficial to all stakeholders.
Air Quality and Climate Stewardship
We make sure our plants operate as efficiently and reliably as possible to reduce emissions yet continue to deliver reliable, low-cost electricity to our customers.
Water Management
We strategically plan for our current and future water needs while continuously seeking ways to use water more efficiently.
Water Management
We strategically plan for our current and future water needs while continuously seeking ways to use water more efficiently.
Alternative Energy Technologies
Our history of innovation includes developing alternative energy technologies--wind, solar and electric vehicles--to serve the growing needs of our communities.
Beneficial Reuse & Recycling
“Reduce, reuse, recycle” is a familiar phrase when discussing environmental impact—and at OG&E, we apply these principals in both big and small ways.
Beneficial Reuse & Recycling
“Reduce, reuse, recycle” is a familiar phrase when discussing environmental impact—and at OG&E, we apply these principals in both big and small ways.
Customer Partnerships
Our partnerships with customers help them reduce their energy costs and help minimize impacts to the environment. That's positive energy TOGETHER!
Community Partnerships
We have a legacy of developing partnerships with community, state and federal organizations to advance practical and meaningful environmental stewardship within the cities and towns we serve.
Community Partnerships
We have a legacy of developing partnerships with community, state and federal organizations to advance practical and meaningful environmental stewardship within the cities and towns we serve.
Coal Combustion
Information regarding the EPA’s regulations for the management of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) generated by electric utilities.