Imagine a 42-mile long conveyor belt in west Texas and southeast New Mexico. The $400 million project, the world’s second largest conveyor belt, was designed to haul hydraulic fracturing sand from a Texas facility to Permian Basin oil and gas operations in New Mexico. Reporter Russell Gold of the Texas Monthly recently wrote about the …
February 2025 archive
The party’s over at Canoo
The late former NFL quarterback Don Meredith, known for singing the old Willie Nelson song “Turn Out the Lights, the Party’s Over” at the end of pro football games telecast on ABC couldn’t have said it better for EV maker Canoo. For more than a week, stocks in the bankrupt electric car maker Canoo, have …
Transportation Commission highlights
Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s February 3, meeting include a briefing on the federal funding continuing resolution and reception of an industry award along with approval of a widening project on SH-33 near Langston and resurfacing projects on I-35 and US-69. Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz updated commissioners on the …
Protecting American Energy act supported by Oklahoma’s Representatives
The U.S. House recently passed the Protecting American Energy Production Act, a bill to prevent any President from banning fracking, had the support of all five Oklahoma Representatives. The vote was 226 to 188. Rep. Stephanie Bice called the passage of H.R. 26 an important piece of legislation that will ensure congressional control over …
Mitchell talks energy with Jerry Bohnen—an energy challenge for President Trump
On today’s podcast of Scott Mitchell Talks Energy with Jerry Bohnen, they study the question of—Does the massive amount of new energy needed to power generative artificial intelligence over the next decade run counter to the campaign promises of the new administration in DC? We discuss the dilemma plus a breakdown of the steps …
Wagoner County Commissioners to vote on solar farm
Wagoner County Commissioners are expected Monday to take a vote on a nearly 5,000 acre solar farm near Porter that has drawn opposition from some landowners. The Persica Solar farm proposed by NextEra Energy Resources totals at least 4,650 acres. Opponents have challenged the site claiming county commissioner have never seen an environmental study …
Former Oklahoma Deputy Energy Secretary named to head EPA regional office
The newly named regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is Scott Mason, a former Deputy Secretary of Energy for Oklahoma. In the position, he’ll be in charge of EPA programs in Oklahoma and four other states as well as 66 Tribal Nations. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that President …
AG celebrates Trump pulling the plug on Biden’s EV mandate
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is celebrating after the Trump administration took action to end the EV mandate created by the Biden administration, a mandate challenged by Oklahoma and 21 other states. “The Biden Administration’s zeal for federal overreach was seemingly insatiable, particularly when it came to attacking the oil and gas industry,” said Drummond. “I …
Xcel Energy to build new SPP transmission line into SE New Mexico
Oil and gas growth, new manufacturing and the increasing needs of existing customers and communities have led to Xcel Energy being awarded three projects by the Southwest Power Pool to build new high-voltage power lines in Texas and New Mexico. One of the projects is the first-ever 765 kV line within the footprint of …
US makes gain in rig activity while Oklahoma slips
Another increase in oil and gas drilling rigs across the U.S. was reported Friday when Baker Hughes announced its rig count. The U.S. total of 586 was a gain of 4 rigs. Oil rigs grew by one to 480 and gas rig numbers increased by 2 to 100. Miscellaneous rig totals grew one to …