July 2020 archive

Oil prices bounce back up a day after slipping

  After dropping in Monday’s trading, oil futures were up in Tuesday’s trading with analysts suggesting prices got a boost from some weakness in the U.S. dollar.  Traders also weighed uncertainty over OPEC’s next move about production levels. West Texas Intermediate crude for August deliver rose 19 cents or 0.5% on the New York Mercantile …

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Corporation Commission’s headquarters to remain closed to the public during pandemic

  The Oklahoma Corporation Commission voted Tuesday to extend its order keeping the headquarters building closed to the public for another 60 days because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion on the third extension since the start of the coronavirus pandemic led Commission Chairman Todd Hiett to state, “There is no indication when the building …

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AG reassures oil and gas industry about US Supreme Court ruling

  Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter maintains last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld the existence of the Muscogee (Creek) Indian reservation and forced prosecutors to drop state criminal charges in some cases also does not affect oil and gas leases. It’s what he told The Oklahoman. “This decision has no impact on the …

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Commissioner led movement for partial re-opening of headquarters in OKC

  The proposed semi-reopening of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s Jim Thorpe headquarters building, shut down because of COVID-19, was the suggestion of Commission Chairman Todd Hiett and not Director of Administration Tim Rhodes. OK Energy Today reported this week that Rhodes had proposed the opening of the public to officials directly connected to cases. Instead, …

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Solar developer buying land around fading coal-fired power plants

  A French solar developer is buying up land around coal-fired power plants in Kansas, Nebraska and New Mexico, attempting to take advantage once the plants are shut down. Photosol US, a subsidiary of a French company, has purchased options near plants in Nebraska and Kansas, as well as the San Juan Generating Station in …

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Opposition looms for gas pipeline in New Mexico and Texas

      Developers of a proposed 135-mile long pipeline to transport natural gas from southeast New Mexico into Texas are facing opposition, even as federal regulators are viewing the application process. Critics contend the new pipeline is a step in the wrong direction, especially in today’s environment. Summit Midstream, the project developer, proposed the pipeline …

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Energy news in brief

** A Louisiana company moves ahead with oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico despite the recent market downturn. ** Looming PG&E public safety power shutoffs have Northern California homeowners rushing to install battery backup systems. ** The U.S. Department of Justice files an amicus brief in support of rooftop solar customers in a dispute over an Arizona utility’s fees.  …

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BNSF railway fights city of Moore before Oklahoma regulators

  Burlington Northern Santa Fe finds itself in yet another legal battle over its railroad crossings. This time, it involves plans by the city of Moore to force the railway to pay for the cost of building a railway underpass at a site where traffic is sometimes stalled by train traffic. Moore unveiled the proposed …

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Earnings report release date set by Williams

  Tulsa’s Williams Cos. will announce its second-quarter 2020 financial results next month. The company will release the information after the close of markets on Monday, Aug. 3. Its leaders will hold an earnings conference call and webcast with analysts and investors on the following morning at 8:30 central time. The question will be how …

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Honoring rural renew leaders

  Oklahoma State University plans to honor those who are doing research and making efforts to renew the state’s rural areas and towns. The University, through its Rural Renewal Initiative, plans to honor a distinguished scholar who has made important research contributions in rural renewal. The Rural Renewal Initiative inspires, empowers, and coordinates rural renewal research at …

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