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Missouri passes new rules governing costs for data centers
New Rules Aim to Protect Ratepayers Amid Rising Power Demand Missouri has become the latest state in the central U.S. to adopt new regulatory measures designed to control the rapid expansion of data centers while preventing ratepayers from absorbing the high cost of supplying their massive power needs. The Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) voted …
Google going BIG in Texas with new data centers
Massive Expansion Underscores Texas Role in AI and Energy Google has announced a sweeping $40 billion investment in Texas, signaling one of the largest single-state expansions in the company’s history. The new spending dwarfs the $9 billion the company recently committed to Oklahoma, where it is building three new data centers in Pryor, Stillwater, and …
Oklahoma oil plays saw drop in rig activity
The latest Baker Hughes Rig count showed losses in two of Oklahoma’s plays where there had been significant activity. The Cana Woodford, according to the report, dropped 3 rigs leaving a total of 17 still active in the western Oklahoma play. The Granite Wash, another active play, saw its count drop by one to 12 …
Energy Brief: Texas Plant Fire, Solar Access, Global Shifts
U.S. ENERGY Firefighters Battle Blaze at Texas Decommissioned Power Plant Firefighters in southeastern Texas battled a massive blaze Sunday at a decommissioned power plant in Texas City, Galveston County, sending large plumes of smoke into the air. The fire broke out around 2:30 a.m., drawing 50 to 60 firefighters from multiple departments who worked throughout …
OGE surprises Noble Schools, funding eight STEM projects
OG&E Fully Funds STEM Projects for Noble Public Schools Company Donates $6,000 to Support Hands-On STEM Learning Noble Public Schools teachers received a big surprise last week when Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) arrived with a $6,000 donation fully funding eight STEM classroom projects across the district. The announcement, celebrated with confetti and a big …
Crude oil prices and OK energy stocks tumbled Monday
Global Tensions and Economic Concerns Pressure Energy Markets Growing pessimism over global supply and demand sent crude oil prices slipping in Monday’s trading session. Analysts pointed to a mix of geopolitical tensions, sanctions, and economic strain as the leading factors behind the market’s downturn. The continued war between Russia and Ukraine, coupled with U.S. sanctions …
Lots of rain in the forecast for Oklahoma
Whew! Rain at last? Well, maybe. At least that’s what the weather people are forecasting in the state. Among them is Oklahoma Climatologist Gary McManus with the Mesonet System who says a few inches of rain might fall within a day or two. “—that’s just the first in a series of systems that could …
FBI Indicts Five in New Mexico Oil Theft Scheme
Federal Grand Jury Charges Five in Multi-State Investigation A federal grand jury in El Paso, Texas, has indicted five men accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars in crude oil from a storage yard in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The defendants—Maxwell Sterling Jensen, Thomas Rees, Christopher Ortega, Christian Contreras Varela, and German Ortiz Santillano—face charges …
Missouri looks at wildfires caused by power lines
Wildfire Counts Surge, Power Lines Identified as Major Ignition Source The state of Missouri is moving to strengthen wildfire-mitigation plans for its utilities after an alarming rise in wildfire activity linked to power-line infrastructure. The Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) initiated the effort after data showed that utilities ignited thousands of wildfires through energized equipment. …
Utility commissioners caution FERC over data center growth
State Regulators Push Back on Federal Authority State utility regulators across the country are warning the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) not to overstep its authority as the agency seeks to connect massive data centers to interstate power transmission grids. Members of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC)—including Oklahoma Corporation Commission Chair Kim …