As another round of bitter cold weather settles in over the Midwest, bringing snow, sleet and ice, it’s prompted officials controlling the 14-state electric grid known as the Southwest Power Pool, to issue an advisory to its members. It’s only a “Weather Advisory” and does not require any conservation of energy on the part …
February 2025 archive
What Doug Burgum’s critics say about his Interior Department orders
While the nation’s oil and gas industry and its supporters have applauded new Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s recent orders revoking anti-industry orders by the Biden administration, the new efforts have their critics. An example is a recent report by Inside Climate News. National monuments, migratory birds, endangered and threatened species: Some of the nation’s …
Evergy wants to boost electric bills by $13 a month in Kansas
Customers of Evergy, the largest electrical provider in Kansas, face a possible $13 increase in monthly bills if the utility’s $196 million rate hike request is approved. The company recently filed the request with the Kansas Corporation Commission with CEO David Campbell explaining it’s necessary. “Evergy continues to focus on keeping rates as low …
Face of opposition to Cimarron Link transmission line in Oklahoma
Darren Blanchard started out just wanting to protect his small farm in Creek County not far from Tulsa. But he’s turned into the face and voice of the growing movement against the Cimarron Link transmission line that would stretch from the Oklahoma Panhandle and across his land. He’s been interviewed by Tulsa TV stations …
Trump redlights EV infrastructure funds in Oklahoma and elsewhere
Oklahoma’s state Transportation Department might have been put into even more of a lurch this past week regarding suspended funding for the buildout of an EV charging network along major interstates in Oklahoma. That’s when President Trump’s administration on Thursday night ordered states such as Oklahoma and others to bring to a screeching halt, …
Missouri landowners hit with eminent domain by Grain Belt Transmission line
The developer of the $7 billion Grain Belt Express transmission line, the one designed to carry wind-powered electricity from southwest Kansas to Indiana, has filed more than 40 eminent domain petitions against Missouri property owners. The company resorted to the legal condemnation of land after owners rejected offers. Click here for Columbia Missourian
Mitsubishi cancels plans for $1.3 billion chemical plant
A proposed $1.3 billion chemical plant in Louisiana has been cancelled by vehicle manufacturer Mitsubishi. The company originally wanted to produce methyl methacrylate or MMA, a chemical used to produce plastic and rubber products and paints and glazes. But the Japanese conglomerate did an independent report last summer that concluded the plant would not be …
Energy briefs
** On Friday, 22 U.S. senators wrote a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum warning him that the Trump administration’s effort to shrink the federal workforce could cripple the National Park Service (NPS) ahead of the busy summer season. ** Slowing US oil-production growth is casting a pall over projects intended to expand crude shipments to overseas markets, …
Williams Cos. honored for its transparency
Williams announced that the company has been recognized across several key rankings for sustainability leadership – including the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment and MSCI – for its commitment to transparency and performance related to long-term economic, environmental, social and governance criteria. Notably, Williams was named for the fifth consecutive …
Senator wants Hugo Lake under control of State Tourism Department
Hugo Lake in southeast Oklahoma is the target of a bill to transfer its management and operation to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. Republican Sen. George Burns of Pollard introduced Senate Bill 121 and proposes transferring all properties currently held for Hugo Lake Park to the department by January 1, 2026. The …