May 14, 2025 archive

Scott Mitchell talks energy with Jerry Bohnen–what’s behind the governor allowing SB998 to become law?

  Scott Mitchell talks energy with Jerry Bohnen. What’s the old Yogi Berra saying “it ain’t over till it’s over” got to do with energy and the legislature? Plenty if you consider what Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt did regarding SB998.  

Gain in crude stocks sent oil prices down on Wednesday

    Word of a U.S. energy stockpile gain made last week sent crude oil prices falling on Wednesday and Oklahoma energy stocks also had losses. The climb in stockpiles left investors worried about excess supplies. Reuters reported the benchmarks fell after data from the Energy Information Administration showed crude stockpiles rose by 3.5 million …

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Governor allows utility bill to become law and disappoints state reguators

    Governor Kevin Stitt allowed a controversial utility bill to become law without his signature on Wednesday and opponents of SB998 suggested a constitutional challenge is coming. They also were not happy with the governor’s handling of the measure that opponents contend will lead to immediate costs for consumers. The measure is controversial because …

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Crude stocks decline at Cushing but grow at US

    The nation’s crude oil stocks rose in the most recent reporting period reported the federal government while the Cushing Hub in Oklahoma saw a decrease of more than 1 million barrels. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported the U.S. crude stocks totaled 441.8 million barrels as of the week of May 9. It …

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Governor sent bill to build state’s space industry

     The Oklahoma Legislature has officially approved Senate Bill 912, authored by Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, marking a major step forward in the state’s efforts to position itself as a national leader in the space industry. Senate Bill 912 merges the responsibilities of the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) within the Oklahoma …

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Growing list of Oklahoma energy bills fading into obscurity

  While one controversial energy bill sent to the Governor of Oklahoma became law this week, others met a quick death in the legislature while a few remain works in progress. SB998, the “CWIP” or construction while in progress cost that will be billed to ratepayers at the time of the electrical project is being …

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Huge solar farm under construction in Missouri

  Construction has started on a $500 million solar project that will increase Missouri’s solar capacity by nearly half. The 430 MW solar project by Arevon Energy is in southeastern Missouri’s Scott County. The Arizona renewable energy developer said the Kelso 1 & 2 solar projects are the firm’s first efforts in Missouri. Last year Arevon …

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OGE warns of new internet scam for utility bills

  OG&E is alerting customers to a new scam. Customers have reported that a fraudulent phone number comes up when they use Google and type in “OG&E payments” or “how to pay my OG&E bill” and similar inquiries. When they call the number, the person claims they are taking payment for OG&E customers, but they …

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Energy briefs

** Tallgrass Energy reports it has secured shipper agreements for its planned pipeline to link the Permian Basin to its network in the Midwest, Great Plains, and Rocky Mountains. ** Alaska’s Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy freezes state hiring and some official travel as low oil prices lead to decreased revenue. ** The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory …

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Weather budget cuts worry Oklahoma’s congressional delegation

    The Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts to the nation’s weather service aren’t being well received by Oklahoma’s congressional delegation as they seek protection for the weather operations at the University of Oklahoma. Congressman Frank Lucas’s reaction is making the headlines in much of the reactional coverage. “The very discussion about reducing our investment …

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