Author's posts
Eagle Protectors Worry about New Government Wind Farm Rules
New rules on the nation’s wind energy companies concern those trying to protect the country’s bald and golden eagle populations. They contend it will mean wind farm operators will be able to kill or injure thousands of bald eagles a year without any penalty. It’s the result of the new rules announced recently by …
Fighting to Save the Ogallala Aquifer
A new report says the Ogallala Aquifer in Oklahoma and the Midwest continues to lose water and Oklahoma State University scientists and researchers are trying to do something about it. The University’s teamed up with the USDA-Agricultural Research Service to study ways to preserve the aquifer. The research is being funded by a $10 …
How Close is SandRidge Energy to Bankruptcy Court?
Officials at Oklahoma City-based SandRidge Energy aren’t talking publicly about it but reports are growing that the firm might be on the verge of filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Reuters and the investor website known as Seeking Alpha indicate the company could file as soon as Friday but no later than June 1. SandRidge confirmed weeks …
Small Parts of NW Oklahoma Remain Abnormally Dry
The latest Drought Monitor report for Oklahoma shows less than 2 percent of the state is in the classification of ‘moderate drought’ and 12 percent is abnormally dry. Gary McManus, State Climatologist at the Oklahoma Mesonet indicated that recent rains made improvements in most of the state. While 88 percent of the state is clear …
Chesapeake Announces $450 million Lease Sales…but also $964 million in 1st Q losses
Still struggling with its growing debt, Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy announced Thursday it lost $964 million in the first quarter but a sale of assets apparently sparked interest among investors as shares rose during the day. The sale was of $470 million in STACK holdings in northwest Oklahoma to Newfield Exploration, a Houston, Texas based …
Tulsa Law Firm Expands Energy and Environmental Offices into Colorado
A Tulsa-based law firm recently expanded operations into Denver, Colorado and it means the fifth offices to be opened in the Midwest by Hall Estill, according to a report in the Denver Post. The firm says it will focus on energy and environmental law in Colorado. The growing law firm has offices in Tulsa, Oklahoma …
Legislators Exchange Words Over Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer
The legislator who authored the Eastern Flyer Passenger Rail Initiative to soon begin passenger serve between Tulsa and Oklahoma City is telling other legislators they don’t know what they’re talking about in wanting to cut the state’s share of funding the Heartland Flyer. Rep. Richard Morrissette D-OKC, responded to one legislator who called for …
Hard to Find Gasoline that Isn’t Blended with Ethanol
More than 95 percent of the gasoline used by cars and trucks in the U.S. is now blended with at least 10% ethanol, according to a new report from the Energy Information Administration. At the same time, the use of ethanol-free gasoline is declining.. The government indicates that since most U.S. gasoline is sold as …
Continental Resources Pushes Ahead in STACK Despite 1st Quarter Losses
Despite first-quarter losses of more than $198 million, Oklahoma City-based Continental Resources is moving ahead with plans to increase oil production in the remaining months of 2016. It already increased production in the first three months of the year and in its quarterly report issued this week, the company said it expects to exit …
Senators Want DOJ Probe of EPA’s Handling of Gold Mine Toxic Waste Spill
When the Gold King Mine spill occurred last summer in southern Colorado, Oklahoma U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe jumped all over the issue in his capacity as chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. He blamed the Environmental Protection Agency for the spill of toxic liquids into the Animas River north of Silverton. …