Author's posts
Oklahoma’s Drilling Rig Numbers Hold Steady but Gain Nationally
Rig counts remained the same in Oklahoma in the past week while nationwide, they grew by 12 to reach 741, according to figures from the Baker Hughes Company in Houston, Texas. Of course, the count is only from Baker Hughes and does not include states where it does not operate such as Kansas. The Kansas …
Governor’s Infrastructure Wish List to Trump—-$1.3 billion in Projects
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin’s submitted $1.3 billion in transportation projects to the Trump administration as part of the new President’s plan to improve nationwide infrastructure. She proposed seven so-called “shove-ready” projects in Oklahoma. They are among 428 projects submitted from 49 states and territories to the White House National Trade Council. The submissions were made …
One Vote Scott Pruitt is Sure to Get in Confirmation to Run EPA
One vote that Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt will likely get during his confirmation vote in the U.S. will come from Alabama’s new U.S. Senator, Luther Strange. And there’s nothing strange about it either. That’s because Sen. Strange, the man appointed to take over when Sen. Jeff Sessions became U.S. Attorney General was Alabama’s former …
Confirmation Vote on Pruitt Maybe Next Week?
Sounds like Attorney General Scott Pruitt’s confirmation vote to be the EPA director could happen sometime in the coming week. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is hoping for a vote in the full senate before Congress hits the road starting Feb. 17 for a recess. “That’s my …
Senator Inhofe Gets Assignments on Environment and Public Works Committee
The chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee announced the leaders of the committee’s four subcommittees. Oklahoma U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe will be chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. Seven other senators join him to make up the subcommittee. West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capitol will chair the subcommittee on Clean …
Bill to Increase Mineral Mining Fees Wins House Committee Approval
A State House committee on Thursday passed a bill to increase the fee on the production of minerals other than coal in the state. The recommendation of House Bill 1844 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, R-Mustang came from the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Regulatory Services. It’s estimated the increase would generate …
Inhofe Contends EPA’s New Chemical Rule Will Make it Easier for Terrorists to Target Chemical Sites
One of the so-called “midnight regulations” that was created in the last weeks of the Obama administration is being fought by Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe. It is the EPA’s proposed Risk Management Rule which is designed to improve safety at facilities where hazardous chemicals are used, stored and distributed. At first read, …
Oklahoma Ranks Third Nationally in Wind Power
Oklahoma now ranks third nationally in terms of electricity produced by wind power, according to the latest report from the American Wind Energy Association. Oklahoma moved past California to become the third-ranked state in the nation with more than 6,600 MW of installed capacity. Texas is number one followed by Iowa. California is now ranked 4th …
Environmental Group Contends Pruitt Lied at Confirmation Hearing—-Wants DOJ Investigation
The Justice Department is being asked by an environmental group to investigate whether EPA nominee Scott Pruitt violated laws during his confirmation hearing by the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The Environmental Working Group submitted a letter Wednesday to the Department of Justice Public Integrity Section. It asked to have Pruitt, the Oklahoma …
OERB’s Annual Report Shows 662 Abandoned Wells Cleaned up Last Year in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Energy Resources Board is out with its 2016 annual report, a report emphasizing Restore, Education and Innovate. Mindy Stitt, Executive Director of OERB reports the group has education programs underway in 98 percent of the school districts in the state. In addition, the OERB’s main function, that of restoring old and abandoned wells …