Amid a political climate that's increasingly hostile to renewable energy, the Commissioners of the Land Office have voted down two potential wind and solar leases on state-owned land over the past year, forgoing millions of dollars that could have benefited Oklahoma’s education system.

The votes went against recommendations from staff at the agency, which manages a $2.9 billion investment portfolio and is directed by statute to maximize leases for the benefit of public education. Earnings from CLO's investments provided more than $156 million for education in Oklahoma last year.

In December, commissioners rejected an EDF Renewables solar project in Payne County. In August, Gov. Kevin Stitt was outvoted 2-1 when commissioners rejected a 55-year lease for the Daily Mill wind project in Woo

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