Rebecca Kling, rebecca.kling@sierraclub.org
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- The Sierra Club released a groundbreaking report and research tool today which grades utilities based on their plans to retire coal plants, stop building new gas plants, and invest in clean energy -- allowing readers to judge each utility’s climate progress and how it compares to what science demands.
Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company (OG&E) was scored at an abysmal 4 out of 100, highlighting the utility’s lack of commitment to renewable energy.
“Oklahomans deserve better from OG&E,” said Johnson Bridgwater, Director of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club. “Clean and renewable energy, like wind and solar, are not only better for our climate, they’re better for our wallets. Renewable energy continues to beat fossil fuels on cost, a particularly important factor amidst the ongoing COVID health and economic crisis.”
Meanwhile, the Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) received a score of 87 out of 100, the highest of any utility in the report, due to the utility’s decision to retire its entire coal fleet and its ongoing commitment to wind and solar energy.
“The Dirty Truth About Utility Climate Pledges report bore out what we’ve long suspected of utility executives who use ‘carbon pledges’ to mollify demands for climate action: They are all talk, but no real action,” said Mary Anne Hitt, National Director of Campaigns at the Sierra Club. “‘Greenwashing’ is alive and well with utilities looking to secretly double down on dirty fossil fuels, and avoid a true transition to clean energy. This report and utility tracker website gives customers the transparency they need to hold their utilities accountable now and in the future.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.