The First Year of Implementing the Oklahoma Comfort Program

Abstract

In the spring of 2010, the Oklahoma Municipal Utility Authority (OMPA) signed a contract with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to implement the Oklahoma Comfort Program (OCP). A core goal of the program was to reduce Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP) barriers such as inexpensive natural gas, lack of knowledge, high first costs, and inadequate infrastructure support. OCP’s intent is to push through these barriers by piggybacking (and expanding) on existing utility incentive programs, educating an already willing public, eliminating first cost impacts through loop leasing or low interest loans, training contractors and staff, creating jobs that support and maintain the necessary job skills, and creating a mass market for GHP in new construction and retrofits. This paper outlines the history of the program leading up to the contract award and the first year’s implementation of OCP. It describes the partnerships OMPA formed, funds leveraged, and numbers and types of GHP installations that have occurred under the program. The paper also details the benefits of the program to the participants, the utility, and the environment. It also addresses some of the problems, obstacles, and lessons learned in implementing OCP.