EPA nomination watch in a Biden administration

  As the numbers are still being crunched in the “too close to call” presidential race, there’s growing speculation about who might get the nod to run the Environmental Protection Agency in a Biden administration. POLITICO reported that two names are in the speculation barrel to be picked to run the EPA. One is Mary …

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Keystone pipeline builder heads to court to get construction permit from one Nebraska county

  The Canadian company building the Keystone XL pipeline reportedly will go to court to get its construction permit from a rural county in Nebraska. The Omaha World Herald reports the vow came from a TC Energy spokeswoman after the Holt County Board of Adjustment voted to deny the construction permit until the firm agreed …

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$32 million lawsuit filed over New Mexico nuclear waste repository

  A subcontractor on New Mexico’s Waste Isolation Pilot plant, one that stores nuclear waste, has filed a $32 million lawsuit claiming the operator of the plant breached its contract to rebuild it. The suit was filed by Critical Applications Alliance, a firm hired by Nuclear Waste Partnership in 2018 in a $135 million contract  …

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First New Mexico launch set for this month by Virgin Galactic

  The first manned test flight into space by Virgin Galactic in New Mexico should occur this month and no doubt, those with Oklahoma’s Spaceport will be paying close attention. As the Associated Press reported, the flights of the company’s spacecraft, VSS Unity are planned between Nov. 19 and 23. Two previous test spaceflights were …

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Oil and gas under a Biden presidency…what could happen?

  An uncertain future awaits the oil and gas industry as the U.S. presidential election hangs in the balance. Industry leaders are nervous if Joe Biden wins because he might stop drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, perhaps shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline and maybe even ban new fracking on land controlled by …

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Shell to shut down oil refinery in Louisiana

  After failing so far to find a buyer, Royal Dutch Shell Plc said it will shut down its Convent refinery in south Louisiana. The 53-year old refinery has about 675 employees and the closing is part of the company’s plan to cut its portfolio to six refineries from 14 by 2025. It has production …

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Oil futures fell while energy stocks rose in Thursday’s trading

  Some Oklahoma energy stocks soared on Thursday with Oklahoma City-based SandRidge Energy skyrocketing up nearly 24%. The company’s shares closed up 43 cents and ended the day at $2.23. Blueknight Energy Partners LP jumped 16 cents for a nearly 12% gain at $1.50 per share. While energy stocks did well on Thursday, crude futures …

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Thousands remain without electricity from last week’s Oklahoma ice storm

  Tens of thousands still don’t have electrical power following the ice storm of last week in Oklahoma. But the lights might be coming back on soon. They are customers of Oklahoma Gas and Electric, numerous rural electric cooperatives and Public Service Company of Oklahoma. OG&E indicated it hoped to have power finally restored for …

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Ice storm had one positive affect—it eased Oklahoma’s drought

  Yes, the ice storm last week pounded the state of Oklahoma but it certainly helped ease the state’s drought as indicated on the latest U.S. Drought Monitor. ” All this great improvement is a result of the powerful winter storm that thrashed the state last week,” wrote Gary McManus, State Climatologist with the Oklahoma Mesonet. In …

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$244 million 3Q loss reported by Murphy Oil

After moving its headquarters from El Dorado, Arkansas to Houston, Texas, Murphy Oil Corp. reported a third quarter net loss of $244 million. The company called its $317 million loss in the second quarter “unprecedented” and blamed it on the COVID-19 pandemic. The oil exploration and production company’s per share loss amounted to $1.59 but …

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