February 19, 2017 archive

WTI, Brent Trade Above $53 a Barrel as Concerns Loom Over Future Output and Supply

Crude oil futures were flat on Friday but fell for the week—caught between larger-than-expected growth in U.S. crude stocks and reports that OPEC members may exercise an option to extend a pact to cut production by six months, according to Bloomberg MarketWatch. March West Texas Intermediate crude rose 4 cents, or less than 0.1%, to settle …

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Environmentalists Fuming Over Pruitt’s Leadership of EPA

While Oklahomans who supported Scott Pruitt’s nomination to be EPA Administrator think he will be an outstanding leader of the EPA, environmentalists have just the opposite view. And his Friday confirmation in  the U.S. Senate left them bitterly disappointed. “Despite calls to delay vote until court-ordered emails are released, Oklahoma AG and fossil fuel industry …

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Who Will Replace Pruitt as Attorney General?

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has yet another significant appointment to make in her administration. After the controversial appointment of a new State Supreme Court Justice, she now has to name someone to replace Scott Pruitt as Attorney General following his confirmation to head the EPA. “Scott Pruitt will do a great job as EPA administrator,” …

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Pruitt Becomes EPA Administrator

The fight is over for Scott Pruitt to take over as the new Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  He was confirmed in a Friday vote of the U.S. and immediately sworn into office, giving up his hold job as Oklahoma Attorney General. Democrats in the Senate slow-walked his confirmation as much as they …

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AAA Oklahoma: State Average For Gas is $2.11 a Gallon

Oklahoma continues to have some of the cheapest gasoline in the U.S., down 5 cents in the past month and up 77 cents since February 13, 2016, as the statewide average stands at $2.11 per gallon, according to the latest report from AAA Oklahoma. The organization indicated that the price is the same that was …

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City of Hinton Sued Over Wind Farm Regulations

The city of Hinton finds itself sued in Caddo County District Court and Oklahoma City federal court by two wind farm companies that claim  the city unfairly is targeting them with a restrictive ordinance. The suits were filed by Minco Wind IV LLC and Minco Wind V LLC. Both are affiliates of NextEra Energy Resources …

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Rig Counts Grow Nationally But Slip in Oklahoma

The U.S. oil  and gas rig count rose by 10 in the past week while in Oklahoma, the count slipped by one but remained more than 100 active rigs. The Baker Hughes rig report showed the national count grew to 751. The count included six more oil rigs to reach a total of 597. The …

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Congressman Blasts Tribal Leader Over Dakota Access Pipeline Protests

  Oklahoma Congressman Markwayne Mullins made it clear in a recent House subcommittee hearing what he felt about the protests of Native Americans against the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota. Mullins, whose bloodline includes Native American was highly critical of the efforts of the Standing Rock Sioux in refusing to negotiate with Energy Transfer …

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Advocates Await EPA Action on Pollutant Levels in Illinois River

Nearly 8 years after efforts started to create limits for some pollutants in the Illinois River and Tenkiller Lake, the project remains unfinished, according to a report in the Muskogee Phoenix. The newspaper also reports Ed Brocksmith, Secretary-Treasurer of Saving the Illinois River has yet to hear from the Environmental Protection Agency after requesting information in …

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