** As the death toll from the Texas tragedy continues to rise, EPA administrator Lee Zeldin has fueled claims about weather manipulation and has tasked his agency to investigate them including such things as geoengineering and contrails. ** Bill Nye “The Science Guy” said that fossil fuel companies and U.S. Congress neglecting the climate crisis is …
July 2025 archive
Latest global worries sent crude oil up 2% on Friday
Friday saw crude oil prices gain 2% as the International Energy Agency described the market as “tighter.” Plus, trading was affected by tariffs and possible more sanctions against Russia. According to the IEA, demand is supported by peak summer refinery runs to meet travel and power generation. West Texas Intermediate crude finished up $1.88 …
Scott Mitchell talks energy with Jerry Bohnen—an interview with Sen. Lankford about the OBBB’s immediate impact on state energy
Scott Mitchell talks energy with Jerry Bohnen as they discussed what Oklahoma U.S. Sen. James Lankford revealed about President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill and its impact on Oklahoma’s energy industries. Lankford was interviewed by Bohnen about the OBBB. Read more
Plan surfaces to keep Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer running
Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, and the Greater OKC Chamber are celebrating a vote by the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ Regional Transportation Council on Thursday to provide $3.5 million in regional toll revenue funds to continue service of the Heartland Flyer for one year. Oklahoma’s only …
Crude oil took a 2% tumble on Thursday
The tariffs President Trump threatened this week on Brazil and also on on copper, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals sent crude oil prices falling 2% on Thursday. The White House also sent tariffs letters to the Philippines, Iraq and others and the result was a decline in oil prices. Global benchmark Brent crude dropped $1.55 or …
2Q results for NextEra Energy coming this month
NextEra Energy, the company fighting to win approval for a 5,000 acre solar farm in northeast Oklahoma, plans a release of its second-quarter earnings report later this month. The company, headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida, says it will report the results before the opening of the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, …
Sen. Lankford says Oklahoma’s oil and gas industry received immediate relief when OBBB became law
Oklahoma U.S. Sen. James Lankford says the minute President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill into law last week, Oklahoma oil and gas exploration companies received immediate relief. In an interview with OK Energy Today, the Republican Senator explained the OBBB immediately eliminated a tax created by Democrats on oil and gas, the …
Dry conditions return quickly to Oklahoma
There’s a good reason why some of your garden or flowers are drying up so quickly after last week’s rainfall in the state. Dry conditions are quickly returning and they have the attention of Oklahoma Mesonet Climatologist Gary McManus. *This is a gentle reminder that D0 (i.e., that yellow color on the Drought Monitor map) …
Bridge rehabilitation and repair projects to begin fall 2025; Stroud service plaza closure set for July 15
Two SH-364/Creek Turnpike bridges over Haikey Creek in Broken Arrow will undergo rehabilitation beginning in October after the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Board awarded a nearly $72 million construction contract. The project was awarded on Tuesday to OBC Inc. during the Board’s monthly meeting. The 25-year-old bridges will have their concrete deck, parapets and …
Energy briefs
** U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday directed federal agencies to strengthen provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that repeal or modify tax credits for solar and wind energy projects. ** Colorado regulators hold off on enforcing a rule banning government entities from using small gas-powered lawn equipment that went into effect last …