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The power of wind has moved millstones, water, electricity, and most recently—tourists. Western Farmers Electric Cooperative ( WFEC ) has joined the Wind Power Trail tourism project, the first ever such project between Oklahoma and Texas . Designed to get tourists off the Interstate and into smaller rural communities, the project takes travelers to places where they can view wind farms as well as vintage windmill collections. In addition to tourism, the project seeks to educate the public about wind energy and foster an interest in the preservation and history surrounding vintage windmills. Western Farmers Electric Co-operative was recently approached by a consortium of towns, cities, and the Oklahoma Department of Tourism to consider participating in the project because of its new wind farm near Lake Lawtonka . Scott Williams, WFEC 's commercial & industrial marketing manager, sees the project the project as a way to spur economic development in member communities and showcase the benefits of wind energy. “ WFEC was the first electric utility in Oklahoma to sign a wind power purchase agreement, so this is a great vehicle for us to showcase our wind farm north of Lawton ,” he said. “It also provides our distribution cooperatives a wonderful opportunity to promote Oklahoma 's rural heritage.” Seth Davidson, who developed the concept and design for the unique trail, toured the WFEC wind farm recently. “Prepare to be awed,” he said. “These wind turbines are set atop an incredibly scenic overlook in the Slick Hills. They will keep your camera shutter clicking.” Production of 50,000 Wind Power Trail maps is in the works, too. They will be available at tourism information centers and chamber of commerce offices. A web site is dedicated to the trail at ( www.windpowertrail.com ). And, an audio CD that travelers can use to learn about wind energy and vintage windmills as they drive is also being produced. WFEC 's participation in the project means that the Lawton area is now the first stop on the trail. It then winds to Norman and up through rural communities in Western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. The trail's end is Lubbock , Texas . Events are being planned for May to kick off the Wind Power Trail. They include a wind energy tour that visits each stop on the trail. Related events are set to coincide with the 2004 International Windmill Fair, held in Shattuck , Oklahoma June 8-10. - 30 - For further information, contact: Mark Daugherty (405) 247-4377 or Sondra Boykin (405) 247-4370 Western Farmers Electric Cooperative 701 N.E. 7 th Street Anadarko , OK . 73005
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