Rather than go ahead with an $833 million court-ordered anti-pollution project for its second largest coal-fired power plant, St. Louis based Ameren might simply shut down the place and put it into mothballs. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports experts contend the pollution controls will be too costly for the company. Click here for St. …
August 2021 archive
Unconstitutional fees result in refunds for Kansas Evergy solar users
Recent action by the Kansas Corporation Commission means Evergy customers with solar panels on their homes will soon get refunds because of a Kansas Supreme Court ruling. The justices ruled Evergy’s actions of requiring solar uses to pay charges to the utility were unconstitutional according to the Kansas Reflector. Click here for Kansas Reflector.
Colonial temporarily shut down lines as Hurricane Ida made landfall
Colonial Pipeline Co. temporarily closed two fuel lines as Hurricane Ida hit the Gulf Coast on Sunday. The firm said the move was just a precaution. It’s at least the second time this year that Colonial’s fuel lines have been turned off. In May, a ransomware attack paralyzed the system, prompting a panic …
Almost 600 Louisiana sites with toxic chemicals lie in Hurricane Ida’s path
An analysis showed that nearly 600 Louisiana industrial sites with toxic chemicals were in the path of Hurricane Ida as it came ashore Sunday. The sites included refineries, storage tanks and other infrastructure that could have released oil and other liquids into the environment. A Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate analysis of industrial data …
Longtime PSO spokesman to retire
After 37 years as a spokesman for Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Stan Whiteford is about to retire. He announced over the weekend the selection of long-time journalist Wayne Greene as his successor as PSO’s Region Communications Manager. Whiteford indicated he will “be around through the end of October.” “It’s been my pleasure …
New Mexico AG faces fraud probe over power company merger
Complaints filed by five environmental and civic groups contend New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas violated state fraud laws by hiring the firm of an old friend to work on the proposed merger of Public Service Company of New Mexico and Avangrid. The five environmental and civic groups behind the complaint are asking …
Colorado Springs coal-fired power plant converting to natural gas
Another coal-fired power plant in Colorado is about to stop burning coal to produce electricity. The Martin Drake power plant in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs will convert to natural gas this week. Click here for Colorado Public Radio report.
Improved safety measures bring results for Oklahoma energy firm
As an inherently dangerous industry to work in, oil and gas drilling has placed an increased emphasis on improving safety culture in recent years. Oklahoma drilling is no exception. One Oklahoma driller, Dan D Drilling, has made safety its priority over the last several years and has taken significant strides to protect its employees. …
Rig counts grow in Oklahoma and US
The number of active oil and gas rigs in Oklahoma rose by one in the past week to reach 31 according to the latest weekly figures from Baker Hughes Co. Nationally, the trend showed increased activity as the U.S. rig count increased by 5 to reach 508 rigs. The increase included 5 oil rigs …
Energy news in brief
** Mexico’s state-owned oil firm Pemex has restored part of the oil production suspended after Sunday’s fatal fire that killed seven people, but the pace of output recovery could be slower than expected because of technical issues including well re-connection, sources familiar with the matter have told Reuters. ** An Australian company’s exploration well likely has tapped into a …
