Crude oil prices rebounded in Wednesday’s trading as the Western World wonders if Russia really is pulling some troops back from the border of Ukraine or simply pulling a stalling tactic. Prices went up more than 1% as investors wondered about the validity of reports that there had been a withdrawal of some Russian troops. …
February 2022 archive
OERB announces Top Ten teachers award program
The Oklahoma Energy Relations Board announced this week a program to honor teachers. Called the Top Ten Teachers of 2022, the OERB said there’s nothing more important to our future than our teachers. It plans to honor the state’s exceptional teachers and each of the top ten will receive $5,000 and another $2,000 will …
Devon’s Muncrief—just getting started
For Oklahoma City’s Devon Energy, 2021 was a record setting year. But Rick Muncrief, Devon’s President and CEO says the company is just getting started. It’s what he told a conference call this week where leaders of the energy company discussed the quarterly financial results. “While 2021 was a record year, we’re only getting …
Rep. Lucas named a “Champion of Science”
Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas was recently honored by the nonprofit The Science Coalition when it named him a 2022 Champion of Science. Lucas is the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. The Science Coalition is a nonpartisan organization of more than 50 of the nation’s leading public and private research institutions. The …
EPA’s Brownfields program gets support from Rep. Mullin
Oklahoma U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mulln reaffirmed his support this week for continued use of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields program for rural and Tribal communities. He did so during a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate change hearing. Oklahoma is considered a national leader in the use of the Brownfields program. …
Improved quarterly earnings for PHX Minerals
PHX Minerals Inc. turned its financial situation around as first fiscal quarter results of 2022 showed net income of $6.7 million rather than losses that it experienced in the fourth quarter of 2021 and a year earlier as well. Net income amounted to 20 cents a share compared to a $3.8 million and 14 …
Environmental board to update rules
The Oklahoma Environmental Quality Board meets this week for the first time in 2022 and at hand will be a number of steps to update rules and regulations covering a variety of issues. The Friday morning meeting in Oklahoma City will include regulatory amendments covering Radiation Management, Air Pollution Control, Hazardous Waste Management, Brownfields, …
Utilities to spy on electric customers for commercial pot growing?
A bill filed in the Oklahoma legislature by Shawnee Sen. Shane Jett would in effect have utilities spy on commercial medical marijuana growers and report high electrical usage to state regulators who in turn could notify law agencies. Senate Bill 1775 would require an electric utility to monitor and report suspicious usage data from a …
Headlines of other energy stories
** Duke Energy plans to work with BMW of North America, Ford Motor Co., General Motors and American Honda Motor Co. Inc. to recruit 200 electric vehicle owners for the pilot. ** US natural gas producer EQT says prices are surging due to lack of adequate pipeline structure. CEO Toby Rice suggested the fix to high natural gas …
Biofuel industry still contends ethanol is good for the climate
Backers of the biofuel industry aren’t saying much about a scientific study that claims ethanol is a bigger contributor to global warming than straight gasoline. Instead, the industry is hoping to persuade Congress that the nation’s renewable fuel mandates being reviewed by the Biden administration are good for farmers, national security and the environment …