Lots to talk about on this latest edition of Scott Mitchell talks energy with Jerry Bohnen. How about a possible rate hike for PSO? Or an end to consumer lawsuits over the 2021 winter storm in Kansas? Then there’s the legislature and its focus on a number of energy issues.
March 5, 2025 archive
Crude oil prices dropped more than 2% for a fourth straight day of losses
The larger-than-expected build in U.S. crude oil stockpiles, including those at Oklahoma’s Cushing Hub sent crude oil prices down for a fourth consecutive session on Wednesday. Adding to the pressure were worries of investors about the plans of OPEC+ to increase output next month. West Texas Intermediate crude finished down $1.95 or 2.86% to …
Caldwell’s utility bill wins second House committee approval
Rep. Trey Caldwell’s utility bill, the one that some have called a Right of First Refusal bill but he says isn’t, won overwhelming support Wednesday in an Oklahoma House Committee. The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 13-2 to send HB2747 to the full House for consideration. Under Caldwell’s bill, the Corporation Commission …
Last rites for “Chevon Deference” in Oklahoma House
The Oklahoma House of Representatives on Monday passed legislation to eliminate the “doctrine of Chevron deference,” a legal test that limited courts’ ability to interpret ambiguous administrative rules. In June 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Chevron deference, which directed courts to defer to an agency’s interpretation of administrative rules rather than independently determining …
Crude stocks grow at Cushing Hub and the nation
In another move that likely will impact crude oil prices in the U.S., data shows gains in crude stocks across the nation including at the Cushing Hub in northern Oklahoma. The Cushing Hub saw a gain of 1.1 million barrels of crude oil as of the week of Feb. 28, 2025 when it …
Carbon capture project in deep trouble in South Dakota
Eminent domain, the subject of anti-renewal energy projects and transmission lines in Oklahoma is also the focus of similar movements in upper MidWestern states. Summit Carbon Solutions, the Ames, Iowa-based firm that wants to build a nearly $9 billion carbon capture pipeline across Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota just ran into …
Agreement allows construction of $1.2 billion solar farm in southern Wyoming
A roadblock to construction of a more than $1 billion solar farm proposed for southern Wyoming has been removed. County officials in Cheyenne have reached a deal with Enbridge, a Canadian energy firm for a payment plan of the $14.5 million need to rebuild a key road to build the $1.2 billion farm …
Oklahoma House approves bill to stop higher 2021 winter storm rates
A bill seeking to protect utility customers from paying higher rates because of 2021’s Winter Storm Uri unanimously passed in the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Tuesday. Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, authored House Bill 1220, which would prohibit municipalities that have franchise agreements with utility companies from assessing those fees and taxes on the securitization amount …
Possible PSO rate increase part of special meetings by Corporation Commissioners
Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners plan not one but two special meetings on Thursday including an administrative hearing on a PSO request that might mean higher bills for ratepayers. The first will begin at 9:30 a.m. and one item will pertain to bills in the legislature that might affect the regulatory agency. One such measure …
Energy briefs
** Atlanta overtakes northern Virginia as a hotspot for data center construction, with 2,160 MW worth of development underway in the Georgia metro area. ** As GOP Congress members push to revoke the Biden administration’s ban on offshore drilling, Florida Republicans say they still don’t want drilling off their coast. ** The Trump administration announces …
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