July 10, 2018 archive

Environmental cleanup update planned for former Phillips 66 refinery near Duncan

Residents of Duncan will get a public update on Monday on the continuing cleanup of the former Phillips 66 refinery. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and Phillips 66 Company will hold an open house at 6:30 p.m. to discuss progress in cleaning up the former Duncan Refinery site. The open house will be held …

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State to hold public hearings on energy assistance for low-income families

Two public hearings on the Low Income Energy Assistance Program run by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services will be held in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. The DHS administers the federally funded program commonly referred to as LIHEAP. The program offers financial help to low-income families for home energy costs. The first meeting will be …

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Heat transfer company closing its Tulsa operations

More than 50 people will lose their jobs in Tulsa over a decision by international SPX Corp. to eliminate one of its divisions, thereby resulting in the closure of its plant in northeast Oklahoma. Another plant is also being closed in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania after SPX sold its Yuba and Ecolaire brands and technology of its …

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Energy and Commerce Hearing on drug pricing program

Typically, members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce committee handle energy matters. But remember, part of the committee’s name also focuses on Commerce and Wednesday, Oklahoma Congressman Markwayne Mullin and others on the committee will delve into a drug pricing program. “Opportunities to Improve the 340B Drug Pricing Program” is the name of the …

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Judicial Committee holds confirmation hearing for Oklahoma nominee

While Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh is drawing the attention this week in the nation’s capitol, Oklahoma federal court nominee John M. O’Connor will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee. His confirmation hearing after being nominated for the U.S. District court for the Eastern, North and Western Districts of Oklahoma will be held Wednesday. He …

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Permian Basin oil money boosts West Texas economy

The Permian Basin is pumping a lot of money into West Texas. The Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance reports that in 2017, the Basin accounted for $62.69 billion in gross sales and $21.05 billion in sales subject to sales tax. The information also shows that in 2017, the Permian Basin produced more than $4.35 billion for the …

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Panhandle got the rain it wanted—-now the sultry weather arrives

While the Oklahoma Panhandle finally received some substantial rainfall in recent days, the hot days of summer are still with us. And they promise to bear down on us later in the week with temperatures in the upper 90s and maybe the low 100s grilling the state. Gary McManus, State Climatologist with the Oklahoma Mesonet …

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Boil order issued for water supply system in Edmond

A boil order is still in effect for residents of one public water supply system in Edmond. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has advised the Cee Gee’s Club Public Water Supply (PWS), located in Edmond, to inform users of its drinking water to use water that has been brought to a full, rolling boil …

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Anti-fracking fight in Colorado draws millions from oil and gas industry

Millions of dollars are being spent on an anti-fracking fight in Colorado where petitioners hope to have a statewide vote in November. The focus of the fight is Initiative 97 which would push setback requirements for new wells to 2,500 feet from neighborhoods. That’s 5 times the current restrictions of 500 feet from homes. “The …

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Did Obama administration use ‘bad’ data in creating methane emissions rules?

Did the Obama administration use bad data when it finalized controversial methane emissions rules from oil and gas production? According to a review of the data by Texans for Natural Gas, it appears to be the case. The group contends the government relief on inflated estimates of methane emissions to justify the rulemaking that targeted …

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