March 7, 2018 archive

State School Board to Consider Computer Science Standards

The Oklahoma State Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Thursday, March 7 to comply with new 2 percent budget mandates. But it will also consider computer science standards that, if approved, will result in Oklahoma joining nine other states with computer science standards and only two with grade-specific expectations. “Computer science is …

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Democrats Question EPA Contract Awarded Security Chief for Scott Pruitt

EPA chief Scott Pruitt faces more scrutiny from Democrats. This time, Delaware Sen. Tom Carper wants to know more about a contract recently won by Pruitt’s head of security, Pasquale “Nino” Perrotta. In a letter fired off to the former Oklahoma Attorney General this week, Carper questioned the security-related $3,000 contract from the EPA. Perrotta, …

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GOP Moves to Speed Up Undoing of WOTUS

Washington, D.C. reports indicate Republicans in Congress are moving ahead with a plan to exempt a repeal of the Waters of the U.S. rule from the Administrative Procedures Act. Politico’s Morning Energy Report indicated it would result in a speed-up of the undoing of the Obama administration creation that drew the ire of farmers and …

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Historic Gas Pump Stolen from Route 66 Gas Station in Miami

You can’t blame the American Pickers for the missing 8-foot-tall history red gas pump from an historic gas station in Miami, Oklahoma. However, they no doubt would be interested in the valuable item. Thieves tried to steal all three of the nearly 100-year old gas pumps from the Marathon Gas station but could only get …

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West Texas Solar Farm is Growing

A massive solar farm is in the works for the sunny region south of Lubbock, Texas. OCI Solar Power is proposing a nearly 900-acre solar farm near the town of LaMesa in Dawson County. Phase two was unveiled this week. The $85 million  Project Ivory Solar project will include 197,000 photovoltaic panels spread across 360 …

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International Rig Count Grew in February

Baker Hughes is reporting an increase in the international rig count for February. The Houston-based GE company said the February 2018 count was 979, an increase of 19 from the 960 reported in January. It also was an increase of 38 compared to February 2017. However, the international offshore rig count for February was 194, …

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Tax Collections Increased in February for Oklahoma

February Gross Receipts to the Oklahoma State Treasury give room for more optimism about the state’s improving economy according to Treasurer Ken Miller. “The trend line shows increasing growth in Oklahoma gross collections. together with other economic indicators, it appears the state’s economy is gaining momentum,” said Miller in releasing the February figures. For the …

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Oklahomans Make Forbes Billionaires List

At least five Oklahomans made Forbes’ 2018 list of the richests people in the world—billionaires. And they owe it largely to oil and gas and related industries. Harold Hamm, founder of Oklahoma City-based Continental Resources, at age 72  tied for 100th. He is worth $14.1 billion according to the magazine. Tulsan George Kaiser ranked 198th …

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