“It’s a win-win for Oklahoma State University, our community and for all of our consumers,” said Burns Hargis, president of OSU, referring to the energy services collaboration Smart Energy Source.

Hargis and representatives of each Smart Energy Source partner addressed more than 60 guests at a ceremony December 8 marking the public launch of the collaboration designed to more efficiently serve energy consumers in the Stillwater region.

The event included a ceremonial signing of the Smart Energy Source partnership resolution by representatives of each organization — OSU, Central Rural Electric Cooperative, the City of Stillwater and the engineering consulting firm C.H. Guernsey & Co. The reception at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center also recognized the proclamation signed by Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin declaring Dec. 8 as Smart Energy Source Day in the state.

“We’re excited about this opportunity to work with all of these entities to collectively optimize assets and leverage resources to provide consumers with affordable and reliable energy now and in the future,” said David Swank, CEO of CREC.

Executives signing the partnership resolution were Gary McCune, chairman of the CREC Board of Trustees, Charles Hopkins, vice mayor of the City of Stillwater, Michael Moore, CEO of C.H. Guernsey & Co., and President Hargis, OSU.

Smart Energy Source is a joint venture that is paving the way to improved reliability and lower costs through greater operating efficiencies for the utilities serving Stillwater residents, OSU students and facilities, and CREC members. It will also harness the research power of OSU to develop energy services and utility system enhancements for use by Smart Energy Source partners.

For more information about Smart Energy Source and to join the journey to finding smarter energy solutions, visit www.BuildingOurEnergyFutureTogether.coop or www.smartenergysource.coop.

Below: Smart Energy Source partners signed a ceremonial resolution Thursday marking the inauguration of the energy services collaboration. Signing the resolution were (from left) Michael Moore, CEO of C.H. Guernsey & Co., President Burns Hargis, Oklahoma State University, Gary McCune, chairman of the CREC Board of Trustees, and Charles Hopkins, Vice Mayor of the City of Stillwater.