August 16, 2025 Issue, Page 9 of 10

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The Elk City News SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 2025 • 9 NEWS Oklahoma’s Energy Dominance is Helping the U.S. Outpace China Drone King Carson Rutherford’s work has It’s no secret that Okla- state lead the way when it unworkable while Chevron has him looking to the skies. homa is an energy pow- comes to onshoring and deployed AI-enabled drones to Only after the 2019 Merritt erhouse, but what people building up an industrial improve its inspection capabil- High School graduate had be- often gloss over the im- base that had been erod- ities. Additionally, Southwest gun pursuing a degree in Me- pact that this leadership ing and ceding crucial Power Pool, the grid operator chanical Engineering at Okla- is having on other parts leadership to China and that serves Oklahoma, has imple- homa State University did he of the Oklahoma econ- other nations. It has also mented AI tools to accelerate the decide to study Aerospace Engi- omy and U.S. national REP. NICK transformed Oklahoma time it takes to get more resourc- neering as well. security. “I knew I favored aero- ARCHER into a tech hub that is es online and strengthen grid ca- space-related stuff after go- The Sooner State’s building America’s lead pacity and reliability. dominance when it over China in the AI All of this innovation is un- ing through a couple of aero- comes to oil and gas production race. locked by an energy abundance space-specific classes, especially and transportation is well-docu- Across the state, leading com- strategy that has been champi- the propulsion class,” Ruther- mented, as evidenced by Cush- panies are investing in the cut- oned both at the state and federal ford said. ing’s position as the beating heart ting-edge data centers that are level. When he took the reins of He soldiered through all of of the U.S. oil trade. We are also powering AI and cloud tools that the Department of Energy, Sec- his challenging engineering the sixth-largest natural gas pro- are being harnessed by advanced retary Chris Wright laid out an classes and graduated from ducing state, third-largest wind manufacturers, aerospace and de- agenda to unleash a “Golden Era” OSU in 2023 with degrees in producer, home to ten hydroelec- fense companies, healthcare facil- of American energy dominance. Mechanical Engineering and tric plants, and a small but quick- ities and others to sharpen their Oklahoma has been a model Aerospace Engineering. ly growing solar industry. Our competitive edge. These data cen- for this agenda, whether it’s our After graduation, Ruther- region also benefits from com- ter operations are helping to bol- additive approach to energy re- ford briefly worked on the B-1 petitive wholesale power markets ster our energy capacity by bring- sources, embrace of advanced Bomber for Boeing. and best-in-class grid infrastruc- ing their own power resources to nuclear technologies, pro-growth Then, in April 2024, he went ture. Not only does Oklahoma the Oklahoma grid, building up permitting reform, or commit- to work for his alma mater as a produce and transport enough our supply and helping to keep ment to grid reliability and se- Research and Design Engineer energy to fulfill our own needs, prices low for families and indus- curity. at the Oklahoma Aerospace In- but we actually produce three tries throughout the state. For decades, Oklahoma has stitute for Research and Educa- times more energy than we con- The AI technologies fueled demonstrated that smart energy tion in Oklahoma City. sume. by our data center fleet are also policy is the cornerstone of our “Oklahoma State University Carson Rutherford Our resource availability and being used by the energy sector economic and national securi- is an academic institution with grid capacity have made Okla- itself to optimize the perfor- ty. We are now seeing our com- outstanding research knowl- something called “swarming de- already worked with the Okla- homa an attractive destination mance of production assets and monsense approach to energy edge in the areas of advanced air velopment.” homa Space Port at Burns Flat for critical industries like manu- the transmission network that dominance pay off as we court mobility, autonomous systems, and looks to expand that rela- facturing and tech, which thrive gets electrons from point A to the industries and technologies and aerospace,” Rutherford said. “The focus of my drone work tionship. on our superior infrastructure, point B. Devon Energy is using that will propel our lead over our He also said that OAIRE con- is on being able to test and chal- “Furthering project oppor- affordable energy, and skilled AI to identify productive drilling global competitors for years to nects academic resources with lenge systems from other man- tunities, such as collaborations workforce. This has helped our locations that were previously come. industry and federal entities for ufacturers and give feedback on with Dawn Aerospace to de- aerospace development. how to improve their capabili- sign and launch a student cap- As an R&D Engineer, Ruth- ties,” Rutherford said. stone payload into suborbital erford gets to have fun working He believes that because of flight, are part of our strategic with drones. Oklahoma 529 and Upromise offer a chance He builds and flies them, test- ing Counter Unmanned Aerial Oklahoma’s aerospace back- ground and its “development and testing capabilities,” the plan, and OAIRE is excited to strengthen our ties to the Space- port ecosystem,” Rutherford Systems. He also does computer state is well positioned for aero- said. to win $1,000 toward college savings programming and creates virtu- al testing scenarios. space industry leadership, espe- cially when it comes to drone So, his work will keep him looking to the skies—to the OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. games, completing surveys a portfolio of digital rewards The drones that he makes are technology. benefit of western Oklahoma, 7, 2025) – Continuing its and more. Upromise is free and cash back programs. Up- used for weather research and Rutherford’s employer has the nation, and humanity. 25th anniversary celebration, and easy to join. Learn more romise provides unique oppor- Oklahoma 529 has partnered at https://www.oklahoma529. tunities for consumers to earn with Upromise to give Oklaho- com/program/upromise/. rewards for shopping, dining ma families three opportuni- ties to help grow their college savings account by making ev- During the month of Au- gust, one Oklahoma 529 ac- count holder will have a chance out, taking surveys and oth- er everyday online activities, and then automatically applies Oklahoma Wine Trails App Introduces eryday purchases. to win a $1,000 scholarship those rewards as cash to any “The scholarship giveaway, paired with Upromise rewards from everyday purchases, of- contribution when they link their Oklahoma 529 to a Up- romise account. Two addition- 529 Plan education savings ac- count, student loan account, or bank account. Visit www. Digital Passport Experience fers families an extra boost al sweepstakes winners will re- upromise.com for more infor- Wine enthusiasts can now state. producers, accessible trail in growing their education ceive a $529 contribution.1 mation. explore Oklahoma’s wineries While paper passports re- routes, and interactive check- savings,” said Oklahoma State The scholarship giveaway is with greater ease and flexibil- main valid, the digital version ins will incentivize more peo- Treasurer Todd Russ. “As we open to both new and existing ABOUT PRODEGE, LLC ity, thanks to a major update streamlines the process with ple to continue to explore our celebrate our 25th anniversary, Oklahoma 529 account hold- Prodege operates a port- to the Oklahoma Wine Trails up-to-date maps and real-time developing wine regions.” this opportunity helps current ers. To participate, account folio of digital rewards and app. The app’s new digital location details, making it eas- The Oklahoma Wine Trails account holders build even holders can link their Oklaho- cash back programs that help check-in feature replaces the ier than ever to discover local include nine curated routes more momentum—and gives ma 529 account to either a new consumers earn, brands grow need for physical passports, wine destinations. organized by region, each new savers a strong start on or existing Upromise account. and loyalty programs and oth- allowing users to track their “The new app update will featuring three to six winer- their journey to invest in their Every $1 in cash back reward er content publishers mone- progress and earn rewards di- make exploring our Oklaho- ies. Users can now earn digi- child’s future.” earned through Upromise in tize their audience. Prodege rectly from their smartphones. ma wineries easier and more tal badges, collect points, and Upromise is a free rewards August increases a partici- has given away more than $2 This update focuses on us- interactive for tourists and receive prizes as they check in platform that offers cash-back pant’s chance to win. billion in cashback rewards. er-friendly features including enthusiasts alike,” said Madi along the way. Existing paper rewards for everyday activi- For more information about Members earn cash back from adjusted regional trail routes Franklin, Oklahoma Viticul- passports are still being hon- ties. Rewards are transferred Oklahoma 529 or to open an offers ranging from shopping and the addition of several ture & Enology Coordinator. ored, and updated printed ver- as contributions to an Okla- account, visit www.oklaho- to mobile gaming, surveys and new wineries from across the “We hope the addition of new sions will be available soon. homa 529 account. Members ma529.com or call (877) 654- more. To learn more about can earn rewards by shopping 7384. monetizing your loyalty pro- online at major retailers, up- gram, advertising your brand loading receipts from in-store ABOUT UPROMISE or gaining consumer insights grocery purchases, dining at Upromise is a division of visit www.Prodege.com for restaurants, playing mobile Prodege, LLC, which operates more information. Thunder Announces 2025-26 Thunder Girls And O’City Crew Dance Teams OKLAHOMA CITY, Friday, Ponca City, OK; Zoey of Wood- OK; Chloe of Edmond, OK; Ra- August 8, 2025 – The Oklaho- ward, OK; Tatum of Little, OK; ilyn of Midwest City, OK; Julian ma City Thunder has named its Kiah of Miami, OK; Aliya of of Lawton, OK; Sara of Pauls roster for the 2025-26 Thunder Dallas, TX; Blair of Denton, TX; Valley, OK; Alana of Dallas, TX; Girls and O’City Crew dance Brianna of Frisco, TX; Kaylee of Stevie of El Paso, TX; and Mak- teams. In addition to energizing Flower Mound, TX; Dominique enna of Russellville, AR. fans at games, dance team mem- of Killeen, TX; Eliza of Hous- “Thunder home games are bers serve as Thunder ambassa- ton, TX; Brooklyn of Pine Bluff, known across the NBA for their dors at community events and AR; and Bella of Wichita, KS. great energy and lively environ- activations across the state. O’City Crew members in- ment,” said Cristhian Guzman, Thunder Girls include: Mail- clude: Jonatan, Ma’Nazio, Lola, Performance Teams Manager. ee and Tamia of Oklahoma City; Adrianna, Jordan, Lily, and “Our entertainment groups are Kennedi of Edmond, OK; Cas- Devontae of Oklahoma City; an integral part of that experi- sandra of Moore, OK; Cerena of Kansas and Jenna of Moore, ence for our fans.” SUBSCRIBE TODAY Current news and great deals delivered right to your door!