OG&E and ASA/USA Softball team up for a "wind-win"

OKLAHOMA CITY, May 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The ASA/USA Softball Hall of Fame Museum and four-field complex has become the first softball venue and predominately women's athletic venue in the country to earn the EPA Green Power Partnership with their commitment to offset 100 percent of its electricity consumption with renewable wind power, following a recent agreement with Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company (OG&E).

The 10-year agreement between ASA/USA Softball and OG&E provides the ASA Hall of Fame complex with renewable energy credits for its OGE Energy Field, ancillary fields, museum and administrative offices.  This encompasses the new improvements with the completion of the first phase of its multi-million dollar renovation.  

OG&E Vice President Jesse Langston will present Craig Cress, executive director of the ASA/USA Softball with the company's Positive Energy Partnership Award during the evening session of the NCAA Women's College World Series on Thursday, May 28.

"We are thrilled to have ASA/USA Softball as a 100 percent OG&E Wind Power customer," said Langston. "It is a natural collaboration with this organization as we pursue our Green Field initiative which will help distinguish the complex as a destination for sustainable practices and education of their fans for using energy wisely. We congratulate them on achieving the EPA Green Power Partner recognition and joining a list of prestigious sports venues around the country.  In Oklahoma, we call this a 'wind-win' for everyone."  

"Our partnership with OG&E has a bright future as we are collaborating on improvements in lighting, energy management and the fan experience.  As the first OG&E "Green Field" venue we are excited to expand our collective efforts with this commitment to modeling green practices," Cress said. "OG&E has been a tremendous leader in expanding the use of wind power, and we are proud to partner with them as part of our efforts to support Oklahoma's energy future and cultivate an educational environment for our fans, players and industry."

"The EPA is excited to welcome ASA/USA Softball as a Green Power Partner and applauds their purchase of green power and its support of the voluntary renewable energy market," said James Critchfield, Program Director of EPA's Green Power Partnership. "ASA/USA Softball is helping to reduce harmful air pollution and demonstrating that using green power is smart for the environment."

ASA/USA Softball and OG&E have partnered to create a state-of-the-art electric technology venue, an outcome of the 20-year agreement formed last year between OGE Energy Corp. and Oklahoma City All Sports Association to support the venue improvements required to retain the NCAA WCWS. Other elements of the partnership include the stadium field name, now called OGE Energy Field, as well as adding a platform to educate fans and OG&E customers on wise energy use for residential and commercial application.

A subsidiary of OGE Energy Corp., OG&E serves more than 800,000 customers in a service territory spanning 30,000 square miles in Oklahoma and Western Arkansas. The company is a leading provider of renewable energy in Oklahoma, accounting for 850 MW of renewable energy, representing approximately 10 percent of the company's total generation capability. 

Annually, the ASA Hall of Fame Complex plays host to a wide variety of softball events, including the nation's No. 1 collegiate contest, the NCAA Women's College World Series (WCWS), which annually draws more than 70,000 spectators.  In addition, the complex hosts several ASA youth and adult championships as well as international and high school championships.  ASA/USA Softball serves as the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States as recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

OG&E web site: www.oge.com
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SOURCE OGE Energy Corp.

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