Author's posts
Trump Administration Says It will Rescind BLM Fracking Rules on Federal Lands
The Trump administration has notified the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver it intends to scrap the Obama administration fracking rules aimed at oil and gas operations on federal lands. At the same time, the government asked the court to delay next week’s scheduled oral arguments in the case that arose last year. …
Inhofe—-Era of Heavy Handed Regulations is Over
Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe says the era of what he calls the “heavy-handed regulations” from the Obama administration is over. Writing this week in USA Today, he said President Trump has started delivering on his campaign promises including rolling back some controversial EPA rules. Here is his letter to the paper. For the eight …
EPA’s Regional Haze Plan in Utah Challenged by Congressmen
The same kind of EPA plan targeting regional haze drifting over southern Oklahoma from Texas coal-fired power plants is being challenged by a U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative in Utah. Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Jason Chaffetz introduced a resolution in Congress this week targeting the EPA’s plan to cut the haze at eastern Utah …
Pipeline Oil Spill Under Investigation in NW Colorado
Colorado environmental officials are still investigating an oil pipeline break earlier this month that spilled about 4,800 gallons in the northwest part of the state near the town of Rangely. The oil flowed from a Chevron Corporation pipeline into a stream on public land in Rio Blanco County. It was described as a 6-inch pipeline …
Trump’s Budget Cuts 31% of EPA Funding
Reports indicate not even Scott Pruitt knew the Environmental Protection Agency would suffer as deep a budget cut when he took over as Administrator following years as the Oklahoma Attorney General. Under the budget proposed Thursday by the White House, the EPA will lose 31% of its funding. Trump wants to not just trim but …
Lankford Says It’s Time the Nation Knew of the Midwest Wildfire Disaster
Oklahoma U.S. Sen. James Lankford figured this week it was time the rest of the nation—-maybe the East Coast residents—should be made aware of the wildfire devastation in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas. He took to the Senate floor to deliver a nearly 9-minute long speech, describing in detail of the devastation he has personally witnessed. …
Climate Change Research Targeted for Defunding by House Committee
Days after Oklahoma Representatives Frank Lucas and Jim Bridenstine joined others on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee in approving a measure to create an “open and honest” EPA, the committee has suggested stripping much of the governments climate change research. Republicans on the committee are targeting billions of dollars being spent to understand …
Florida Utility Seeks Legislative Approval to Make Profits from Shale Gas Investments in Oklahoma
In Florida, a State Senate committee has given approval for Florida Power and Light Company to make profits off shale gas exploration in Oklahoma. The approval came two years after Florida’s largest utility was allowed by the Florida Public Service Commission to invest $191 million in the Woodford Shale gas project in southern Oklahoma. The …
Tribe Loses Again in Court Over Attempts to Stop North Dakota Pipeline
The Native Americans fighting the Dakota Access pipeline in North Dakota have lost again. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled this week against the request of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe to stop completion of the $3.8 billion pipeline on the basis of religious freedom arguments. Judge James Boasberg, who ruled …
Oil and Gas Firms Seek More Workers
While Oklahoma’s oil and gas sector added 700 jobs in January, according to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, (see OK Energy Today) a look into want ads shows there is a demand for more workers. Economist Lynn Gray at the Commission is optimistic about what the jobs report for February will show. He might have …