Representative Aric
Nesbitt (R-Lawton), chairman of the House Energy Policy Committee, is working
with members this week in hopes of voting on his energy policy on the House
floor next week. The Senate, by contrast, isn’t likely to see a vote until the
beginning of 2016.
Representative
Nesbitt’s plan cleared committee earlier this month and includes provisions
that keep the 10-percent set aside for energy choice and a renewable energy
goal. Several spokespersons have commented on the need for the House to vote on
this legislation before the end of the year. Nine coal plants will close in
April 2016 and utilities need to be assured that the market is reliable and
affordable; otherwise the state will not have energy available at its
fingertips.