The scrapping of the controversial regional transmission line across northern Oklahoma by the U.S. Department of Energy drew rapid response by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. In a release from his office, it was pointed out that the DOE decision came just a day after Drummond and Speaker-elect Kyle Hilbert voiced their opposition to the …
December 13, 2024 archive
Oil and gas rig numbers held steady in Oklahoma and US
The latest Baker Hughes Rig Count showed no growth or loss in the number of rigs across the U.S. and in Oklahoma. The Friday report indicated the nation’s count was unchanged at 589 from a week ago. The number of oil rigs remained at 482 while the number of gas rigs increased by one …
Feds’ effort collapses to build regional transmission line across Oklahoma
The U.S. Energy Department confirmed Friday to OK Energy Today that a controversial regional transmission line proposed for northern Oklahoma will not occur. Efforts collapsed somewhere in the line of decision-making in Washington, D.C. The decision drew immediate reaction from Oklahoma leaders who had opposed the project. One pointed out another project, the Cimarron …
Another regional transmission corridor runs into opposition in New Mexico
The federal government’s intentions to build large regional transmission lines throughout the U.S., including northern Oklahoma, ran into another wall of opposition. This time, in New Mexico. The state recently adopted an executive order to protect the land that the federal government wants to use to power the nuclear weapons program at the Los …
Rep. Lucas reportedly loses bid to be Chair of House Financial Services Committee
Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas apparently will not be the top Republican on the House Financial Services Committee that oversees Wall Street, the Federal Reserve and cryptocurrency. The committee’s actions regarding banks and other financial institutions affect funding for the energy industry. Even though Rep. Lucas is the longest serving Republican on the Committee, Arkansas …
Energy briefs
** California advocates say a state law aimed at phasing out diesel trucks has failed to reduce pollution in communities near the Port of Los Angeles. ** Nevada advocates file a lawsuit seeking to force federal land agencies to protect the Old Spanish Trail from utility-scale solar projects, mining and other development. ** A Michigan House panel approves a $50 …
Kansas is doing more than talk about growing depletion of Ogallala Aquifer
The Ogallala Aquifer which stretches from Nebraska to the Panhandles of Oklahoma and Texas is getting more attention over the depletion of its lifeblood for farmers and ranchers. And it’s not casual attention. This time, it is the state of Kansas where it wants more restrictions on the part of the groundwater management districts …
Oil and gas industry still in Biden administration sights in its final days
The Biden administration made it clear this week where it stands over the issue of local governments and their ability to sue oil companies over climate change, even as it prepares to turn things over to President-elect Trump. And it’s not with the oil and gas industry, the group that Joe Biden put in …