OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Energy business owners, industry observers and environmentalists said they're optimistic an interim study will help advance an underused resource in the state.

The legislative request to examine the economic benefit of solar power was approved July 7. State Reps. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City; Claudia Griffith, D-Norman; Ben Loring, D-Bartlesville; and Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, proposed analyzing potential job growth from solar power and what's preventing its development. The request also proposes examining how solar power is connected to the grid and studying exis...