December 22, 2025 archive

Energy Brief: Oil seizures, grid strain, travel surge

** The United States apprehended an oil tanker off Venezuela on Saturday, a move Caracas called a “theft and kidnapping,” according to U.S. officials. The action marks the second tanker interdiction in two weeks and follows President Donald Trump’s announcement of a blockade targeting sanctioned oil vessels entering or leaving Venezuela. ** Texas grid officials …

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Crude oil prices gained 3% on latest Venezuelan and Russian incidents

  While Venezuelan oil tankers are the target of seizure by the U.S. Coast Guard and more Ukrainian attacks damaged Russian oil tankers, the incidents have raised the risk of global oil supply disruptions. As a result, crude oil prices on Monday rose nearly 3%. Reuters reported the U.S. Coast Guard tried to intercept an …

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Legislator fears loss of family operations over poultry court order

Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell, responded to a federal court order issued Friday that placed new restrictions on poultry litter use in the Illinois River watershed, a decision he said could have devastating consequences for poultry farmers and rural communities across several eastern Oklahoma counties. The ruling limits land application of poultry litter, imposes financial penalties …

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Judge blocks new Colorado gas stove restriction law

Federal Judge Blocks Colorado Natural Gas Warning Law Injunction halts enforcement of gas stove labeling requirement Colorado’s effort to impose new restrictions on natural gas appliances ran into a significant legal setback after a federal judge blocked enforcement of a recently enacted state law requiring warning labels on gas-fueled stoves. The law, HB25-1161, was approved …

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Louisiana regulators to speed approval of data centers

  Regulators in the state of Louisiana have acted to allow faster approval and construction of data centers. They’ve adopted a new rule which suspends some consumer protections to help utility companies if they need to build power plants for certain industrial developments which included data centers. While Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners have struggled with rate …

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Repairs completed for 2 county bridge overpasses on the I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike

  Work is underway on repair to some of the six bridges and overpasses damaged on the Will Rogers Turnpike by a trucker carrying a load that was too tall to meet highway regulations. The Turnpike Authority reported over the weekend that eastbound I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike will be narrowed to one lane underneath the E. …

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STACK Pipeline eminent domain case returns to Oklahoma court

  Eight years after two major energy firms created an oil pipeline company to transport crude oil from northwestern Oklahoma to the Cushing hub, the LLC struggled  first in a Logan County District Court over its use of eminent domain to acquire the land and second with a state appeals court. The Oklahoma Court of …

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Oklahoma’s oil plays saw gain in rig activity

While the nation’s oil and gas rig numbers declined in the past week, including a loss of 8 oil rigs, the activity in Oklahoma’s energy plays saw a gain to reach a total of 42 rigs. Baker Hughes reported Oklahoma’s gain of one rig was recorded in the Granite Wash where the count grew from …

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Fermi AI data center tied to Rick Perry loses investor

Fermi AI data center facing challenging finances A highly promoted AI data center project in Amarillo linked to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry is facing renewed uncertainty after the loss of a major investor and a sharp decline in market value. The project, developed by Fermi Inc., reportedly lost a $150 million funding commitment tied …

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Wind turbines dangerous for Saint Nick?

  While the wind industry gets credit for increased production of electricity, at this time of year, it’s also the brunt of some Holiday style images about Santa, his sleigh and his reindeer. We believe the pictures are self-explanatory. It’s light-hearted  fun as wind farm opponents resort to observing just how dangerous the wind turbines …

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