By Chad Love

If, as the experts say, the pursuit of energy in the face of dwindling fossil fuels will be our nation's most pressing issue in the coming years, then a drive through the southern plains is a revealing glimpse of our energy future.

There's an energy boom going on in the "oil patch" region of Oklahoma and Texas the likes of which has not been seen in decades. This time around, though, the prize isn't under our feet, it's in the swirling currents above our heads. A rapidly growing number of domestic and international energy companies have targeted western Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle with plans for massive wind farm projects.