January 10, 2024 archive

Nation’s crude oil buildup did not include the Cushing Hub

  Oklahoma’s Cushing Hub was not part of the unexpected build in national crude oil stocks in the past week, a build that sent crude prices down about $1 a barrel in Wednesday’s trading. While the nation’s crude oil storage gained a surprise 1.9 million barrels, reaching 787.4 million barrels, Cushing’s total fell half a …

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Crude oil dropped in Wednesday’s trading

An unexpected jump in U.S. crude stockpiles sent oil prices tumbling by a dollar a barrel on Wednesday. Oklahoma energy stocks fell as well. US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate crude futures dropped 87 cents or 1.2% to $71.37 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell 79 cents or …

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Frigid weather to hit Oklahoma on Monday—a “dangerous” day

  If you’re not prepared for the Arctice blast of winter weather to arrive on Monday, you might have the weekend to get ready. The state is bracing for the extreme weather to hit and Oklahoma Climatologist Gary McManus Monday “will be the most dangerous day.”   So it means if you work outdoors, which …

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Regulators grant protective order to OGE for its $332 million rate hike request

  Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners voted 3-0 this week to grant a protective order to Oklahoma Gas and Electric as the utility moves forward with its latest rate hike request, one totaling $332 million which would force residential ratepayers to cough up another $19 a month. The request for the protective order was considered routine as …

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Flat oil prices for 2024 predicts Energy Information Administration

  If you were  expecting crude oil prices to climb this year, the prediction of the U.S. Energy Information Administration is that they won’t. Instead, they will remain about the same as they did in 2023. The EIA, in a report this week forecast average annual crude oil prices in 2024 and 2025 will remain …

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Speculation mounts about Chesapeake Energy merger

  Still no formal announcement regarding the anticipated merger between Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy Corp. and Southwestern Energy Co. based in Spring, Texas. But the speculation about the impact of such a deal, one that could have a value of $17 billion, is growing and led this week to a question raised in The Daily …

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ODOT Director in line for $60,000 pay hike

  A job with a $60,000 pay raise? It’s what the Oklahoma Department of Transportation governin board voted this week to give Tim Gatz for his work as head of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. Under the unaninimous move, Gatz will see his salary jump to $245,000 a year. Oklahoma …

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Edmond Senator wants to create a new state agency for economic development

  A bill introduced by Edmond State Senator Kristin Thompson would create another state agency in Oklahoma, one with an intent of focusing on economic development and business retention. Her Senate Bill 1447 would create the Oklahoma Office of Economic Development, Growth and Expansion, or OK EDGE. “As a businessperson and as a policy maker, …

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GE spinoff to produce turbines for New Mexico’s SunZia wind project

  Construction started in New Mexico on what is described as the largest wind project in the Western Hemisphere that will transfer electrical power from the state to Arizona. At the same time, GE Vernova, a business to be spun off by General Electric, said it will build hundreds of turbines for Pattern Energy’s SunZia …

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Bill would extend tax-free vehicle title transfers to grandchildren

Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, recently filed legislation that would extend tax-free vehicle title transfers from grandparents to their grandchildren. Currently an excise tax is levied upon the transfer of legal ownership of any vehicle registered in Oklahoma. Exceptions include people who possess an agricultural exemption, and for title transfers between husband and wife and parent …

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