The rumbling across northwest Oklahoma Tuesday afternoon wasn’t a thunderstorm but a 4.5 magnitude earthquake. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the event at 1:20 p.m. and showed the epicenter was about 2 miles northwest of the town of Shattuck which is located about 30 miles southwest of Woodward or just east of the Texas state …
May 2021 archive
Brace for high gasoline prices this Memorial Day weekend
If you’re hitting the road this weekend, you’ll likely face the highest Memorial day weekend gas prices since 2014. Oklahoma’s average is at $2.75 a gallon compared to the nationwide average of $3.03 a gallon according to Jeanette McGee, a spokeswoman with AAA. “AAA expects 37 million Americans to travel, mostly by car and …
OCC staffers prepare for annual review of storage rules
Tuesday was the deadline for questions and comments to be submitted at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s June 8 Petroleum Storage Tank Division industry roundtable meeting. The meeting, set for that Tuesday at 2 p.m. is part of the PSTD’s annual summer time review of its rules. Division leaders say they want to be more …
Energy news in brief
** Mexico said Monday it will buy Shell’s 50% share in the jointly owned Deer Park refinery near Houston for about $600 million. ** Enbridge Inc. along with its two partners in a consortium has put forward a non-binding offer for the largest natural gas import pipeline in Brazil, per Reuters. ** U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on …
Texas legislature moves to fix power grid failures
Texas legislators are responding to the effects the deadly February winter storm had on the state’s energy grid. The House on Monday approved a bill to shore up the Texas electric supply system and infrastructure. The Austin American-Statesman reported Senate Bill3 would infrastructure improvements in preparation for future extreme weather. Click here for Austin …
Northwest Arkansas school to get solar power
A new solar project to help a northwest Arkansas school district was announced this week by Ozarks Electric Cooperative. The utility is partnering with Springdale Public Schools and Today’s Power Inc. to build a 2.4 megawatt solar plant near the Sonora Middle School in Springdale, a city located near Fayetteville. The plant will offset …
Choctaw Nation adds more solar panels to tribal homes
The renewable energy efforts of Oklahoma’s Choctaw Nation were recently showcased by KOCO TV, reflecting how the tribe has installed solar energy on at least 20 of its low income homes. Tribal officials say the project will result in savings for the families. Click here for KOCO story.
Colorado’s new setback law still leaves some disappointed
The state of Colorado might have the nation’s strongest set back rule for oil and gas drilling, but many in the state are still disappointed that drilling has continued close to their homes and businesses. Under the new law, a well site has to be at least 2,000 feet from homes and schools but …
Texas moves closer to creating new safety rules for chemical industry
Two years after a disastrous and massive chemical fire broke out at a chemical tank farm in Deer Park, Texas, legislators have yet to wrap up efforts to create tougher enforcement laws. A bill authored by a Houston State Senator, one to put new regulations on the chemical industry has won approval in the …
Turning NM coal ash into green products
Those northwestern New Mexico residents hoping to see an end to the mountains of coal ash from the Four Corners power plant are banking on the efforts of a Canadian company. The firm, SonoAsh LLC wants to create a manufacturing hub in San Juan County by recycling coal ash and turning it into “green …