Oil prices rise as Trump orders tanker blockade on Venezuela Blockade lifts crude prices despite global supply concerns Crude oil prices climbed about 1% in Wednesday trading after Donald Trump ordered a blockade of oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, tightening supply concerns tied to the sanctioned producer. The move helped lift oil prices even …
December 17, 2025 archive
Texas oil operators remain pessimistic about future
Dallas Fed survey shows continued pessimism in energy sector The same week that Brent crude oil prices fell below $60 a barrel for the first time since May, a new survey revealed growing pessimism among Texas oil and gas executives. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas released its fourth quarter 2025 Dallas Fed Energy Survey, …
Coal bill wins US House approval with support of OK Reps
The five Oklahoma U.S. Representatives were sold in their support on Tuesday as the House passed a bill to force utilities to keep coal-fired power plants online past their scheduled retirement dates. Even some moderate Democrats joined the Republican members from the state in passing the “Power Plant Reliability Act,” H.R. 3632, sponsored by …
Consumer groups say OGE is “Scrooge” over energy projects
Consumer groups challenge OG&E financing request Two consumer advocacy groups — Oklahoma Industrial Energy Consumers and AARP Oklahoma — are sharply criticizing OG&E over its latest effort to recover financing costs tied to the Horseshoe Lake power plant expansion. The dispute centers on financing related to Horseshoe Lake Units 14 and 15, which are part …
Energy Brief: Coal Plants, EV Funding, Global Power Shifts
Energy Brief: Power, Coal and Grid Tensions Escalate United States Coal plants ordered to stay onlineThe Trump administration ordered the Centralia coal plant in Washington to continue operating beyond its scheduled Dec. 31 closure, even though state law requires utilities to stop burning coal at the end of the year. House backs authority to delay …
Governor and McCall step up criticism of AG in poultry flap
Gov. Stitt backs poultry producers as lawsuit fight escalates Governor tours eastern Oklahoma amid lawsuit tensions The political fight over Oklahoma’s long-running poultry pollution lawsuit intensified this week as Kevin Stitt toured eastern Oklahoma to voice support for poultry producers, cattle ranchers, and agricultural families facing potential fallout from the case. Speaking to nearly 300 …
Mitchell talks energy with Jerry Bohnen—falling oil prices, data centers and a poultry fight
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1418813159590782 What’s the latest on Scott Mitchell talks energy with Jerry Bohnen? Energy prices falling and excerpts of an exclusive interview with State Rep. Amanda Clinton on the findings of her data center interim study. Plus Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton’s poultry tour and his work to bring together the warring factions in the Illinois …
Western states urged to prepare for data center growth
Rapid data center growth expected across western states A new study examining the impact of data centers across western U.S. states, including Colorado and New Mexico, warns that artificial intelligence-driven development could expand more than four times faster than growth seen over the past decade. The analysis finds the surge will not only drive up …
Over-height truck damages bridges above Will Rogers Turnpike
Multiple bridges damaged above I-44 in Rogers County An illegally over-height commercial motor vehicle struck and damaged six county bridges above Will Rogers Turnpike in Rogers County on Wednesday afternoon, forcing the closure of four bridges while inspections and repairs move forward. Crews with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation quickly …
Data center updates from around the U.S.
Growing AI demand fuels data center surge nationwide The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and cloud computing has triggered a nationwide surge in proposed and planned data centers, forcing states, cities, utilities and regulators to confront difficult questions about electricity demand, grid capacity, environmental impacts, and public transparency. What began as isolated disputes in …