Just as some Oklahoma legislators have targeted the wind industry for more restrictions this year, in Arkansas, the legislature just approved a bill doing the same. It’s a bill that wind farm supporters contend will cripple the industry. Still, it’s on its way to the governor’s desk to become law. They also claim …
April 2025 archive
Energy briefs
** The Trump administration issued an order Wednesday to stop construction on a major offshore wind project to power more than 500,000 New York homes, the latest in a series of moves targeting the industry. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said it needs further review because it appears the Biden administration rushed the approval. ** The U.S. Army Corps …
Car group says EVs break down more than gas powered cars
Thinking of buying an electric car? The Automobile Association is out with a warning that EVs break down more often that the gas-powered car you’re driving. The organization says EVs tend to have a host of problems such as jammed charging cables and technical glitches and they are even prone to punctures and flat …
Regulators advised—don’t rush to make utility pole changes
After months of study, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission is being advised it should take little action when it comes to a call to require stronger wooden poles used by utilities in the state. The recommendation comes from the Commission’s Public Utilities Division which reached its conclusions following a Notice of Inquiry launched last …
Senator hails FERC decision
The recent decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to stop a proposed hydroelectric project on the Kiamichi River in Pushmataha County was supported by one southeast Oklahoma Senator. Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard called it a “tremendous victory” for southeast Oklahoma. “The Kiamichi River is a cultural landmark, and a treasured natural resource …
Scott Mitchell talks energy with Jerry Bohnen—recalling the OKC bombing and another lawsuit against Todd Hiett
Scott Mitchell talks energy with Jerry Bohnen and the two have their own memories of the Oklahoma City bombing, plus discussion about a legislator’s latest attempt to stop Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett from voting in some rate cases.
New sanctions sent oil prices up 2% for 2-week high
As Oklahoma energy stocks were split in Wednesday’s trading, crude oil prices bounced back nearly 2% to reach a two-week high. The gain on crude prices came because of reported worries about global supplies following the Trump administration’s decision on Wednesday to issue new sanctions against Chinese importers of oil from Iran. Reuters explained …
Latest private meeting by state regulators longer than public session
Within minutes of concluding their regular public meeting on Tuesday, Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners almost immediately held another meeting, one that did not include the public and fell under the new state law allowing gatherings exempt from the Open Meeting Law. A filing of the Open Meeting Act Exempt Event Compliance Form on Wednesday …
US crude oil stocks increased nationally but not at Cushing Hub
The country’s supply of crude oil grew by 600,000 barrels in the most recent reporting period according to the government, but storage at the Cushing hub in Oklahoma took a drop of about the same amount. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported U.S. crude stocks went from 442.3 million barrels the week of April …
Valero to close California refinery
Valero’s announced it intends to idle or shut down its Benecia Refinery in California in a year. The company said its subsidiary, Valero Refining Company-California submitted notice to the California Energy Commission of its current intent to idle, restructure, or cease refining operations at Valero’s Benicia Refinery by the end of April 2026. One …
