Author's posts
Rep. Mullin says ‘Privatization’ Comments were Distorted by Media
U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin and others named to President-elect Donald Trump’s list of advisors on Native American issues have stirred up a storm by proposing to privatize Indian lands in order to ease strict regulations on oil and gas drilling. Mullin and the others, including former Cherokee nation chief Ross Swimmer described the rules as …
Pipeline Protesters Victory in North Dakota Could be Short-Lived
For the Indian activists, the decision by the Army Corps of Engineers to halt construction of the nearly-completed Dakota Access Pipeline could be a short-lived victory. The unanswered question is: What might Donald Trump do once he becomes President? Industry leaders want him to make it a top priority next month to go ahead and …
Navajo Nation Wants $162 million from EPA Over 2015 Gold Mine Spill in Colorado
The 2015 Gold King Mine disaster in southern Colorado has led to the Navajo Nation filing a claim seeking more than $160 million from the federal government to pay for damages. The spill into the San Juan River dumped three million gallons of toxic sludge into waterways and led to environmental concerns in neighboring states. …
Colorado’s First Coal Gasification Plan is Proposed
What could become Colorado’s first coal gasification plant is raising some questions among residents. Kentucky-based Bowie Resource Partners has submitted a request to Colorado’s Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety to develop a plan to process coal waste using heat, pressure and chemicals to create a synthetic gas which in turn could be used to …
Water Act to Include State Regulation of Coal Ash
The U.S. Senate and House have reached a bipartisan deal to allow states to regulate coal ash disposal as part of the final Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act. Sen. Jim Inhofe, as chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee praised the deal as did others. “We’re pleased that the final WIIN package …
Gasoline Prices Remain Under $2 a gallon in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s new statewide average price for gasoline rose slightly in the past week but remains under $2 a gallon with a price of $1.97, according to AAA Oklahoma and GasPrices.AAA.com. The new average is 12 cents higher over the past two weeks. “The boost in pump prices reflects the increase in crude oil prices,” explained …
State Agencies Finish Illinois River Work to Protect State Highway near Tahlequah
Two state agencies in Oklahoma recently teamed up to stop erosion of a state highway near Tahlequah and at the same time made improvements to the Illinois River. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation funded the $900,000 project and worked closely with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission in protecting State Highway 10 just north of Tahlequah in …
Kansas Westar Customers to See Drop in Electric Bills Beginning in January
An adjustment of rates will mean a slight drop in part of the electric bills of Westar Energy customers in Kansas in the coming year, according to an announcement by the utility. Westar says rates will be adjusted to reflect lower-than-estimated property taxes. The property tax bill is a direct pass-through cost to consumers …
Houston Firm Reports Success in Kingfisher County
Houston-based Oklahoma Energy Acquisitions LP is reporting success in Oklahoma’s STACK, hitting a well that produced more than 1,000 barrels of oil a day. The firm operates as a subsidiary of Alta Mesa Holdings, LP. The Clark well, in the Mississippian play is located about 5 miles northwest of Crescent in Kingfisher County. It had …
OKC Mayor Cornett Awaits Meeting With Trump to Talk Infrastructure Improvements
One of the issues stressed by Donald Trump in his campaign to become President was doing something about the nation’s highways and its infrastructure. And that’s just what Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett is hoping to discuss with the President-elect before he takes his oath of office in January. Cornett is President of the U.S. …