After 4% losses on Wednesday, crude oil prices enjoyed a small rebound in Thursday’s trading following an announcement by a top Russian official who said global oil markets were balanced. The comments by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak caused a 46 gain for West Texas Intermediate Crude which settled at $74.76 a barrel …
April 2023 archive
Sen. Mullin blasts Energy Secretary’s idea of an all-electric military
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm’s call this week for an all-electric U.S. military drew a heavy critical response from Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin who called her idea “ridiculous.” It was during a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Wednesday where Granholm said that she supports efforts from the Biden administration to require the U.S. …
Texas legislature moves to stop any ban of gasoline powered engines
Just as the state of Colorado could be considering a ban on gasoline powered lawnmowers and leaf blowers, the Texas legislature is doing just the opposite. Legislation to make sure gasoline and diesel-powered engines can never be banned was approved this week in the Texas House of Representatives. KOSA TV in Austin reported the …
Oklahoma’s Aerospace and Defense Industry to be highlighted at annual event
Oklahoma’s annual Aerospace and Defense Industry Day will be held May 16 in Midwest City on the Rose State College campus. Many of the state’s top aviation and aerospace entities have participated in past Aerospace Days. The special day will be hosted by the U.S. Air Force’s Strategic Alternate Source Programming Office. This year’s …
Green funding hit by House debt limit bill
The debt limit bill passed by House Republicans this week was not only a move made to force President Biden into negotiations to prevent a catastrophic federal default this summer, but it included massive cuts in green energy funding. Passed on a 217-215 vote with all five Oklahoma Representatives voting for the measure, the …
Farmers’ Right to Repair bill becomes law in Colorado
Colorado is the first state in the country to pass a law giving farmers the right to repair their own equipment, a move aimed against major farm implement manufacturers who used software locks to discourage customers from repairing their own tractors. Gov. Jared Polis signed the bill this week. The measure requires manufacturers to …
Republicans move to block investigation of 2021 winter storm gas bills
The muddy controversy over whether Oklahoma should investigate the sky-high cost of natural gas during the 2021 Winter Storm Uri, a development that led to utilities passing along the costs to consumers for the next nearly three decades, took another turn this week. Republican lawmakers filed a bill to exempt natural gas from Oklahoma’s …
Evergy wants a 10% increase in monthly electricity charges in Kansas
Customers of Evergy, the largest electrical supplier in the state of Kansas are facing a nearly 10% increase in rates. It’s what the company is asking and if it is approved, the increase will result in a nearly $14 a month addition to customers. Click here for the Hutchinson News
Agreement announced on PSO renewable energy projects
Attorney General Gentner Drummond and several parties representing customer interests have entered into a joint stipulation and settlement agreement with Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) regarding its pending application for approval of six capacity projects. The settlement paves the way for a decrease in PSO customer rates beginning in 2026. The project …
Renewable diesel fuel gains traction at US refineries
Renewable diesel fuel is gaining ground across the U.S. CVR Energy Inc. is increasing production at its Wynnewood refinery in Southern Oklahoma where production started in October 2022. Marathon Petroleum has similar production at a plant in Dickinson, North Dakota where the company describes the fuel as a major turning point in the world …