Geologist Previously Served As Administrative Law Judge
by JOHN W. SIMMS

Dana Murphy is a geologists, as well as a lawyer and a former administrative law judge for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

Dana L. Murphy cited her experience as a geologist and as an administrative law judge with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission while making Oklahoma City campaign stops last week.Miss Murphy is vying for the Republican nomination for one of the three seats on the corporation commission.

The seat is now held by Commissioner Jim Roth, a Democrat, who was appointed by the governor to complete the term of a Republican.

Commissioner Denise A. Bode resigned several months ago to pursue a career as a lobbyist in Washington.
Gov. Brad Henry, a Democrat, named Mr. Roth to complete Commissioner Bode’s term.

Commissioner Roth is seeking election to a full term.

Mrs. Murphy said she is concerned about the energy crisis facing Oklahoma and the nation, and will work to not only encourage the use of “advanced technology” to improve production of natural gas and oil, but also to increase emphasis on the use of “alternative fuels.”

“With energy costs chewing a hole through the pocketbook like never before,” the state corporation commissioner candidate said on Friday, “we must develop Oklahoma resources in new and different ways to provide today’s and tomorrow’s affordable power.”

“With the potential of providing 10 percent of America’s electricity needs,” Miss Murphy, a native of Woodward, continued, “Oklahoma already ranks sixth nationally in wind farm capacity.”

“Much of that is to come from northwestern Oklahoma,” she pointed out.

“Oil and gas will always be important,” she said, “but we must advance the use of wind, hydro, bio-fuel, solar and other evolving fuel sources in Oklahoma.”

As a corporation commissioner, she will be in the forefront of “encouraging universities, energy companies and power providers to research and move to market every form of renewable energy possible,” the candidate emphasized.

Describing herself as “an agent of change” and as “someone who will look out for everyday Oklahomans,” she said she “can be trusted to make fair decisions” as a commissioner.

“I am someone who understands both rural and urban areas of our state,” she said, “and I understand the impact of energy on both family and business budgets.”

“I was fortunate to grow up in a large family devoted to Oklahoma farming, ranching and the energy business,” Miss Murphy said Friday.

“Consequently, I learned early on the importance of a strong work ethic,” she stated, “committed service to others, and care for our land and resources.”

The corporation commission candidate has an oil and gas law practice in Edmond, but she worked for nearly six years as an administrative law judge at the corporation commission.

She was named Co-Employee of the Year by the commission in 1997, and was the recipient of the commission’s Public Servant Award in 2001.

That year, Miss Murphy resigned from her position as an administrative law judge, and sought election as a corporation commissioner.

Prior to going to work for the commission, Miss Murphy worked 10 years as a geologist.

In 2003, she opened her private law practice with an emphasis on title, regulatory, and oil and gas litigation.

A fifth generation Oklahoman, Miss Murphy attended Central State University in Edmond before entering Oklahoma State University as a geology major.

She graduated from Oklahoma State in the Top 10 percent of her class.

Then, she went on to graduate cum laude from the law school of Oklahoma City University, having attended night school.

The corporation commissioner candidate is a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Oklahoma City Geological Society, the Oklahoma Bar Association and the Energy Advocates.

The latter group named her an Outstanding Woman in Energy in 2007.

Miss Murphy is a member of the board of directors of the Farmers Royalty Co., and is a member of the Edmond Chamber of Commerce.

A care chaplain at the Church of the Servant United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City, Miss Murphy has previously served as a trustee of that congregation.

She served as vice chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party for four years, and is a member of the Oklahoma Federation of Republican Women.

The original article can be found here.