Tulsa-Based Energy Institute Think Tank

[Hometown]

Tulsa recently got a dose of good news that may impact her standing in the Energy Industry.  Tulsa Oil Man George Kaiser has established a Tulsa-Based Energy Institute and hired the former Governor of Alaska to run it.  Check out a recent story in the TulsaWorld about the same.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080904_49_A1_hOilma48633

Tulsa still has a critical mass of energy related business and she still enjoys "good will" in the industry.

I've argued here before that Tulsa should focus on her core strength – Energy.  I believe the Energy business is Tulsa's best shot at developing high paying jobs for her citizens and more revenue for her civic pursuits.

Now, George Kaiser has taken us a long ways towards revitalizing Tulsa's role in the Energy business by establishing this important think tank.  

My hope is that market forces, private money and Tulsa's dumb luck will kick in and enlarge and expand the role we play in the lucrative field of Energy. Mr. Kaiser's contribution is an important step in that direction.

[FOTD]

quote:Originally posted by Hometown

Tulsa recently got a dose of good news that may impact her standing in the Energy Industry.  Tulsa Oil Man George Kaiser has established a Tulsa-Based Energy Institute and hired the former Governor of Alaska to run it.  Check out a recent story in the TulsaWorld about the same.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080904_49_A1_hOilma48633

Tulsa still has a critical mass of energy related business and she still enjoys "good will" in the industry.

I've argued here before that Tulsa should focus on her core strength – Energy.  I believe the Energy business is Tulsa's best shot at developing high paying jobs for her citizens and more revenue for her civic pursuits.

Now, George Kaiser has taken us a long ways towards revitalizing Tulsa's role in the Energy business by establishing this important think tank.  

My hope is that market forces, private money and Tulsa's dumb luck will kick in and enlarge and expand the role we play in the lucrative field of Energy. Mr. Kaiser's contribution is an important step in that direction.

ABSOLUTELY TRUE!

[carltonplace]

We have a lot to thank Mr K for. He gets thrown under the bus alot, but he obviously cares deeply about our town.

[Conan71]

Scooped, HT []

http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11220

This IS the sort of thing you have suggested for a long time.  Mr. Kaiser must obviously be a lurker on TNF.

[TheArtist]

Its a positive step, but lets be sure to look at what this really is. Its a "think tank" that will employ a few people for a short amount of time.

Whats really important is the follow up on what they find. It will most likely show a mix of alternatives is needed. Will give the pros and cons on each alternative. Which alternative is better in which situation and in which area of the country. etc.

It is THEN that we will be in a plac to take some local action. For then we will be able to look at what energy resources are going to be pushed and where, aka, what industries are likely to advance in the future and more importantly for Tulsa, which industries we can focus on, nurture, and grow here.

1. We might want to look at incentives to bring those likely industries to the Tulsa area.

2. Look at ways of retooling old industries into new ones, "like the old oil pipe industry retooled into making windmill towers" drilling expertise and know how, shifting into geothermal, etc.

3a. Setting up research, here in Tulsa and at its local colleges, into the most promising alternative energy prospects. 3b.  Then taking any research patents and knowlege and building local businesses off of them.

4. Lobby for federal dollars and lobby different state governments and the federal gov. to adopt the findings of this think tank, pushing the alternatives that they find to be the best, most logical prospects to persue. And when they do, position our local economy to take advantage of those industries whether they be local or in other states.

[FOTD]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

Scooped, HT []

http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11220

This IS the sort of thing you have suggested for a long time.  Mr. Kaiser must obviously be a lurker on TNF.

That's absurd.....as usual.

[inteller]

think tank....just an upper crust name for lobbyist.

[TheArtist]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

think tank....just an upper crust name for lobbyist.

Well Tulsa needs a whole he11 of a lot more "think tanks" at both the state and local levels. Beats sitting around on our thumbs whining and complaining that we aren't getting what the other guys are getting "the other guys who are sending their think tank/lobbyists to get their fare share...and ours, and more, to boot".