December 2018 archive

Proxy statements in the mail over $4 billion merger of Chesapeake Energy and WildHorse Resource

Shareholders in Chesapeake Energy and WildHorse Resource Development are getting letters this week notifying them of the planned $4 billion merger by the two energy firms and the meeting to decide it. Proxy statements are part of the letters. Chesapeake Energy shareholders will meet Jan. 31, 2019 at 10 a-.m. to consider and vote upon …

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Review panel urges legislature to end Energy Tax Credit program

A state panel that reviews the effectiveness of economic tax incentives in Oklahoma is recommending the repeal of at least one energy tax credit. The Oklahoma Incentive Evaluation Commission voted in a recent meeting to urge repeal of the Energy Efficient Residential Construction Tax Credit. The vote was 5-0. The Commission also voted to recommend …

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Wind farm owner to stand trial in February on $1 million fraud scheme charges

  A former Minnesota wind farm owner and operator charged with a $1 million fraud scheme is reportedly headed to trial in the coming year. Kerry Dale Kisslinger, 58, is a former owner and CEO of ES Windpower, Inc. and was indicted in November. His company sold wind turbines to farmers and ranchers throughout the …

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Inauguration ceremonies set for Oklahoma’s Governor-elect Stitt and other state elected officials

The inauguration of Oklahoma Governor-elect Kevin Stitt and the swearing in of elected-state officials who’ll handle many energy-related issues will be held Jan. 14, 2019. Details of the events leading up to the inauguration have been released. The inauguration will begin at 11:30 a.m. on the south steps of the State Capitol. “Sarah and I …

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Two Wind Farm thieves in jail—3 others on the run in southern Oklahoma

Two men are jailed and three others are on the run—wanted for stealing equipment from a wind farm operation in southern Oklahoma. KXII TV reports the arrests and charges come after trailers loaded with special equipment used for the wind turbines were stolen from the Wind Farms in Murray County. “I mean they really put …

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Muskogee hopes to attract new industry to Port

The Muskogee City-County Port Authority hopes to land a $635,000 grant to be used to attract a new company to Muskogee’s industrial base. The Muskogee Phoenix reports that Industrial Development Director Marie Synar said the deal, if it comes to fruition, would create “45 good-paying jobs” that meet the requisites for incentives through the port …

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Oklahoma’s oil patch employment dropped in November

Crude oil prices haven’t been the only thing dropping in Oklahoma’s energy industry in the past several weeks. So has employment in the oil patch. The November employment report from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission indicated the state’s unemployment rate improved slightly from 3.4% in October 2018 to 3.3% for November. It showed total employment …

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City of Shawnee to seek state loan to install automated water meters

Shawnee city leaders have agreed to seek a loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to replace the city’s system with automated water meters. As the Shawnee News Star recently reported, the city commissioners unanimously voted to file a loan application. A representative of an engineering firm told commissioners the new meter system would be …

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Propane shortage hits Colorado and prompts Governor to issue disaster declaration

The governor Colorado issued a disaster emergency this week because of an expected shortage of propane. Gov. John Hickenlooper took the action because the shortage might affect 33,000 residents who live in 20 counties in southern Colorado. The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management issued the announcement. “These customers may not be able …

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Latest earthquakes in drilling regions were in Oklahoma and Texas

Earthquakes were reported in oil and gas drilling regions on Christmas Day in northern Oklahoma and West Texas. Oklahoma’s quake happened after 8 p.m. on Christmas Day with the epicenter located less than a mile from the community of Hayward which is about 22 miles southeast of Enid. It measured 2.5 magnitude and had a …

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