Republican Governor Criticized For Signing Memorandum With Foreign Nation To Collaborate On Renewable Energy Projects

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt received backlash for entering an agreement with Denmark to increase collaboration between the two governments on renewable energy projects.

“Today, Governor Stitt joined Ambassador of Denmark to the United States Jesper Møller Sørensen to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Oklahoma and Denmark. The agreement focuses on increasing collaboration between the two governments in pursuit of a robust and innovative energy future. The MOU also includes areas of technology and defense,” a press release from Stitt read.

“Thanks to pro-business policies and our ‘more of everything’ approach to energy, the world is taking notice of what’s happening in Oklahoma,” said Governor Stitt.

“This mutually beneficial relationship will create opportunities for economic growth and job creation for both Oklahoma and Denmark. Working together on innovative energy solutions will further enhance our already strong relationship with Denmark,” he added.

“Why is @GovStitt signing deals with foreign countries to buy up land in Oklahoma for the purpose of destroying its beauty with wind and solar crap while pursuing ‘decarbonization.’ Who needs Democrats?” Daniel Horowitz, senior editor at The Blaze, wrote.

Why is @GovStitt signing deals with foreign countries to buy up land in Oklahoma for the purpose of destroying its beauty with wind and solar crap while pursuing “decarbonization.” Who needs Democrats? https://t.co/0hA7tYokUj pic.twitter.com/R7G2FUtFjr

— Daniel Horowitz (@RMConservative) December 3, 2024

* Image from Daniel Horowitz X Post *

From Gov. Stitt’s office:

The MOU will leverage Oklahoma’s business-friendly environment, central location and forward-thinking energy policies, alongside Denmark’s technological advancements, to increase energy production while also creating a reliable, affordable energy grid. This dynamic partnership will serve as a benchmark initiative for energy leaders around the world.

“The tie between Denmark and Oklahoma has become even stronger today with us agreeing on further collaboration on energy. By combining Denmark’s expertise in renewable energy with Oklahoma’s innovative energy strategies, we will pave the way for new opportunities in sustainable growth, economic development, and shared innovation. This partnership holds immense potential for both our communities and the global energy landscape, and I believe it is an important and exciting step forward in the collaboration between us,” said Ambassador to Denmark, Jesper Møller Sørensen.

European Energy has signed an agreement with the US state of Oklahoma to co-develop a wide range of renewable energy assets https://t.co/LWMI1MM99g pic.twitter.com/dH54BIPHBV

— reNEWS (@reNEWS_) December 5, 2024

“This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marks the beginning of a dynamic partnership between EE North America, a fully own subsidiary of the Danish Group, European Energy A/S(EE). EE is a global leader in green energy innovation, and the State of Oklahoma, an energy leader in the United States,” the memorandum read.

Per KFOR:

Specifically, the memorandum partners the state with Danish-owned energy company, EE-North America, with goals of building a “state of the art power-to-x facility” in the state that would “produce green methanol from renewable energy sources.”

Not everyone’s happy about it.

“I’m going to beg to differ with him on this particular issue,” said State Rep. Jim Olsen (R-Roland)

Olsen is one of several Oklahoma Republicans who publicly questioned the governor’s move this week.

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Olsen says the state shouldn’t subsidize an industry that he believes can support itself without help.

“Our best role as state government is just to get out of the way of those that produce and, you know, keep their taxes reasonably low, keep the regulation low and just get out of their way and let them do business as best they can,” Olsen said. “I’m not opposed to green energy. If someone wants to produce energy from wind or sun, that’s great. And there ought to absolutely be freedom for those companies that want to do that, to do that. But I hate it when government jumps in and tries to pick winners and losers.”

Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters also voiced his opposition to the memorandum.

“DEI and energy plans resembling the Green New Deal do not belong in Oklahoma,” Walters said.

DEI and energy plans resembling the Green New Deal do not belong in Oklahoma. pic.twitter.com/kZK9u8HfQ7

— Superintendent Ryan Walters (@RyanWaltersSupt) December 5, 2024

KGOU reports:

Walters said in a press release statement that he opposes the “disruptive expansion of so-called green energy projects.”

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He says Oklahoma’s expansion into renewable energy was supposed to help fund students and schools but hasn’t in any meaningful way.

When green energy companies move into rural areas and build wind turbines, solar farms and hydroelectric storage facilities, they pay ad valorem taxes on the property they buy for those projects to the county jurisdiction that property is in. That money then goes to public school districts with very little property tax revenue in mostly rural areas.

However, locals and green energy companies hoping to develop on or near their land don’t always see things the same way, whether it comes to the valuations of properties slated for development or preserving some of the state’s natural resources and tourism hotspots.

And that means the money that should be going to students sometimes gets caught in a complicated and time-consuming legal muck.

Walters says Governor Stitt is showing “preferential treatment” to the Danish company European Energy North America over vital business interests and the property rights of Oklahomans.