Those in the oil and gas industry might view what happened Thursday night in Austin, Texas by saying, “they don’t call Austin weird for nothing.” More than 100 people rallied outside city hall in a call for the city to stop using fossil fuels to power the city. They contend an Austin Energy power generation …
August 11, 2017 archive
Hamm Says It’s Time to Block Venezuelan Oil into U.S.—-Get Tough With Maduro
When Oklahoma oilman Harold Hamm speaks, President Trump listens. How well he listens might be another matter. But Hamm’s latest comments concern his call for a “get tough” approach with Venezuela, according to Bloomberg News. Stop shipments of Venezuela oil into the U.S. “If the president wants to make an immediate impact on Venezuela to …
Second Quarter Loss Reported by Major Kansas Power Supplier
Following a recent merger, Kansas City-based Great Plains Energy announced a second quarter loss of more than $22 million. The $0.10 a share loss of average common stock in the electric-supply company compared with a second quarter 2016 earnings of $31.6 million or $0.20 a share. At the same time, the company reported losses of …
Holly Energy Expands Holdings with Pipeline Purchases
With terminals and pipeline operations in Oklahoma and several other states, Dallas-based Holly Energy Partners, L.P. has announced a $250 million purchase of pipeline operations in Wyoming and Utah. The company’s making the deal with affiliates of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. Holly Energy already owns 50% of Frontier Aspen LLC, owner of the Frontier …
Richardson ‘Heartened’ by Supreme Court Ruling Against Cigarette Tax
He sued the state over an electric car tax and now Gary Richardson, the former U.S. Attorney running for Governor in Oklahoma is encouraged by this week’s Supreme court ruling striking down a cigarette tax. “We are encouraged by the Supreme Court upholding the intent of SQ 640, which was passed by the voters in …
Second Oklahoma Lawsuit Filed Against Monsanto Over Roundup Weed Killer
An attorney who publicly released internal emails from Monsanto about its alleged cancer-causing weedkillers is in trouble with a California judge. The attorney is one of those who sued Monsanto over its Roundup herbicide, the same herbicide that is at the center of two Oklahoma City federal court lawsuits. U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria ordered attorney …
Government Does Away With Obama-Era Coal Royalty Rules
Another Obama-era energy-related rule has been scrapped by the Trump administration. This time, it is a rule on coal royalties, one that coal and mining companies had opposed, calling it costly and burdensome. The Interior Department did away with the royalty valuation rule but the elimination won’t be effective until Sept. 6 because of the …
Former Green Party Candidate Takes Plea Deal Over Dakota Access Pipeline Vandalism
Former Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein won’t have to spend time in jail for her protest nearly a year ago of the Dakota Access oil pipeline in North Dakota. North Dakota Judge Gail Hagerty accepted a plea deal sparing Stein from serving time behind bars. She pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief and in …
Longer Lateral Drilling Law Eagerly Anticipated in Oklahoma
Oil and gas exploration companies apparently are eagerly awaiting the date of November 1st in Oklahoma. That’s when under a new law, they will be allowed to drill horizontal wells up to two miles long in all layers and will no longer be limited to one mile. As The Oklahoman quoted one driller, “Long …