Senator Earl Garrison To Host Green Country Alternative Energy Expo

State Senator Earl Garrison, D-Muskogee, is hosting the inaugural Green Country Alternative Energy Expo at the Muskogee County Fairgrounds Oct. 2-4 bringing together experts from all across the state to discuss alternative fuel, energy research and options.

The expo will kickoff with keynote addresses by Tom Price, Chesapeake Energy’s senior vice-president for investor and government relations who will speak 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.

“I’m very excited to have Tom Price and Lt. Gov. Jari Askins speak at this inaugural event,” Sen. Garrison said. “With so many families struggling financially due to high gasoline prices, I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to bring experts together to shine some light on our future and offer some hope to our citizens.”

The expo will also include 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.

“This will be a great opportunity for Oklahomans to hear from these individuals who are currently working hands-on with alternative energy and alternative fuels research,” Garrison said. “Both OU and OSU have stepped up to the plate and are helping to lead the way in these fields.”

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.

Garrison said he hopes this expo will garner positive discussion about what alternative energy and fuel research can do to help this nation.

“America is at a crossroads,” Garrison said. “Prices at the gas pump are at a record high and there is no immediate relief in sight. Our nation has got to stop its dependence on foreign oil and the only way that can be accomplished is through alternative fuels and Oklahoma is helping lead the way in that effort.”