By Helen Barrett

Dana L. Murphy made a sweeping tour of Woods County Friday as she began her campaign for Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

Murphy visited Waynoka and Freedom before coming to Alva to tour the NWOSU campus, the city of Alva and greet citizens at a special reception in her honor held at McDermott Real Estate Agency Friday afternoon.

In her honor, DeVine Water lined the entry wall with personalized bottles of water bearing Murphy’s name and photograph.

This is Murphy’s second attempt to become a member of the OCC. After working as an administrative law judge at the OCC, she left her position in late 2001 to begin working as a consulting geologist and run for the statewide office.

In 2003 Murphy returned to private law practice with an emphasis in title, regulatory practice and oil and gas litigation.

Murphy is well acquainted with the plight of mineral owners in northwest Oklahoma having grown up in the Woodward area. As a fifth generation Oklahoman, she is very familiar with agriculture and petroleum issues.

Murphy believes Oklahoma’s energy is a “Successful Past, Bright Future.”

“In one hundred years, Oklahoma has gone from being the new kid on the block to being a leader in Energy,” Murphy said.

Based on 2006 data, Oklahoma ranked third in natural gas production and fifth in oil production in the United States, Murphy said.

“In an era of declining oil and gas resources, alternative fuels are becoming more vital to our future,” she said. “Currently, we’re developing wind power, solar energy, hydrogen power and bio fuels.”

Coal, once a staple of energy, is being reinvented through improving technology as a source of cleaner, increasingly efficient power, Murphy said.

“Challenge and excitement lie ahead for the energy industry and consumers alike,” Murphy said. “Oklahoma, with its rich tradition of leadership in the energy industry, is poised to continue that greatness in the coming years.”

Currently Murphy lives in Edmond. She is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Oklahoma Geological Society.

She is also a part-time personal fitness trainer. She continues to be actively involved with her family’s farm and ranch in Ellis County.

“Oklahomans need to know that I am someone who understands both rural and urban areas and the impact of energy on both family and business budgets and ways of life,” Murphy said.