Oklahoma

Consumption Statistics

Oklahoma's size in land area is just above average in the United States as the 20th-largest state; but as a rural state, it ranks only 36th in population, with 3,751,351 residents enumerated in the 2010 census. Conversely, while the state's populace is sparse, its residents consume more than average for its size. For example, the U.S. Census Bureau in 2004 found that Oklahoma is actually ranked eighth in total energy consumption. This overconsumption may stem from the state's populist heritage, based on its rugged individualism from the Dustbowl along with its abundant oil and natural gas production. Daniel Elazar characterizes this traditionalist and individualist political culture as one resistant to change, placing a premium on a “business as usual” mentality. It is not surprising, then, that the Resource Renewal Institute's “State of the State” report finds that Oklahoma ranks only 46th in its policy innovation to improve the state's environmental programs. Furthermore, Oklahoma rates only in the bottom five states in pollution prevention performance in a study by the Environmental Defense Fund. In addition, Governing Magazine reveals that Oklahoma ranks 45th in environmental spending per capita, with more than $660 million in 2004. On the city level, Tulsa and Oklahoma City's ecological footprints rank a mere 90th and 93rd out of 100 cities, respectively, measuring the human demand on the Earth's ecosystems, according to SustainLane's 2008 Sustainability Ranking.

Waste Disposal

Governing Magazine also finds that Oklahoma—at 3.8 percent—beats only Mississippi and South Dakota in the percent of residents’ garbage recycled, which is less than one-tenth of Minnesota (42.3 percent), the nation's top recycler. Oklahoma's negative sentiments toward recycling reflect the fact that the state's landfill tipping fees are the lowest in the nation, at an inexpensive $18 per ton, compared to Vermont's hefty $98 per ton, which gives the state with the highest tipping fees much more incentive to recycle. In lieu of recycling, Oklahoma is fond of landfilling and is the country's 10th-biggest land-filler per capita.

Sustainability

Although sustainability is not a top priority for the average Oklahoman, there are organizational programs across the state, including the Metropolitan Environmental Trust (MET) in Tulsa, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and the Oklahoma Sustainability Network, all of which promote programs emphasizing sustainability statewide. In addition, some of the state's universities are at the forefront of sustainability. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized the University of Central Oklahoma as the “2009–2010 Individual Conference Champion” for using more green power than any other school in the Lone Star Conference. Similarly, Oklahoma State University (OSU) saved $11.5 million by reducing energy and water consumption [Page 627]over the course of three years, according to the university's Website. As of 2010, OSU was in the process of replacing more than 45,000 lights with more efficient bulbs in 97 buildings. OSU was also working to retrofit heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems.

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