Author's posts
Internal battle over public records still active inside OCC
The internal battle over public information continues inside the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. An hour into Thursday’s meeting, Commissioner Bob Anthony spent more than 15 minutes criticizing a news release from the Oklahoma Universal Service Fund that he said “blamed” ratepayers who protested the issuance of Winter Storm 2021 securitization bonds for resulting higher costs. Anthony …
Crude oil prices, stock prices start week mostly higher
Crude oil prices rose Monday with a lot of focus on Friday’s release of the US personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index. West Texas Intermediate Crude futures gained 12 cents Monday to settle at $81.75 a barrel. Brent crude, the global benchmark, settled up 43 cents at $85.61 a barrel. Alliance Resource Partners, …
Schools could benefit from investing in clean, more-efficient energy
What are called “direct support” payments from the Internal Revenue Service could mean schools and other nonprofit organizations could see benefits from investing in clean, more efficient energy. Those tax breaks already existed for families and businesses. Now, school districts, churches, and other nonprofit organizations will be paid back for renovations that cut their energy …
Battle over Rio Grande water far from over
The battle over Rio Grande water isn’t done yet. The US Supreme Court has rejected a settlement between Texas and New Mexico. The high court sided with the Biden administration and its objections to the deal. Friday’s vote was 5-to-4. The suit was focused on how to account for water use in the Rio Grande …
Midwest has already seen double the average number of tornadoes
Sulphur … Bartlesville … Barnsdall. That’s just the start when you list the number of Oklahoma communities hit by tornadoes this spring. Barnsdall should be on there twice. More than 11 hundred twisters have been recorded in the Midwest US through May. That’s about double the 30-year average. Meteorologists says there are two key factors …
California: Oklahoma’s opposite when it comes to ESG investing
California is clearly Oklahoma’s opposite when it comes to ESG investing. ESG is the acronym for “environmental, social, and governance.” Basically, in Oklahoma, it means removing investments like the state pension plan from entities that oppose oil and gas. California is taking the opposite approach, but it’s not working yet. An effort to force two …
3 Oklahoma higher-ed institutions to offer degrees in AI this fall
Three of Oklahoma’s higher education institutions are planning to offer degree programs in artificial intelligence starting this fall. Oklahoma state regents have approved the programs at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Rose State College in Midwest City, and Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford. The move is based on projections indicating more than 19 …
States consider new laws increasing penalties for pipeline protesters
A dozen protesters were arrested in Cushing, Oklahoma seven-and-a-half years ago when they tried to stop a proposed oil pipeline between there and a Valero refinery in Memphis, Tennessee. Proposed new laws in multiple states could stiffen the penalties. Members of the group Arkansas Rising attached themselves to oil drums filled with cement and firefighters …
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority asks tribal leaders to join Plate Pay system
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is asking several tribal leaders to join the Plate Pay system. OTA Executive Director Joe Schelle made the formal request during the regular quarterly meeting with the tribes last week. The state is reportedly missing out on millions of dollars of revenue from vehicles bearing tribal tags. Right now, that driver …
Iowa Senator wants Renewable Fuel Standard volumes raised
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is leading the push to have the federal government increase its Renewable Fuel Standard volumes. Grassley says the EPA and the Biden administration didn’t bump up those volumes enough last year. The veteran Republican calls it an insult that the levels are so low. He says factories can produce much more …