Author's posts
Oil Companies Join in Legal Challenge to Oklahoma Cigarette “Fee”
Two oil companies are among those filing a constitutional challenge to the new cigarette tax that legislators labeled a ‘fee’ to get around the state constitution in the waning days of the legislative session last month. They are Hutchinson Oil Company, LLC of Clinton and Rogers Oil Company headquartered in Blackwell. They joined Philip Morris …
Rep. Bridenstine and Others Introduce Bill to Promote Outer Space Commerce
Oklahoma U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine was among those who introduced a bill to beef up what they believe is the outdated space-based remote sensing regulatory system. They call it the American Space Commerce Free enterprise act of 2017, a bill that will improve national security and remove regulatory barriers facing new space companies. Rep. Bridenstine, …
New COO at Continental Resources Exits the Company
Just weeks after Continental Resources Inc. announced the naming of Tony C. Maranto as the company’s new chief operating officer, he has suddenly resigned. Word of the resignation came in a one-sentence SEC filing made by Continental Resources this week. The resignation by the 57-year old Maranto was effective June 5, just five weeks after …
National Tap Water Study Shows Pollution in Bethany
The drinking water for an estimated 15 million Americans, including some in Oklahoma is contaminated with toxic chemicals according to a new report from The Environmental Working Group. It contends 47 locations exist where toxic chemicals known as PFCs or PFASs have been found in the drinking water. The contaminates are used in Teflon manufacturing …
Senator Inhofe to Visit Airports in Oklahoma
Friday will be a busy day for Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe as he flies his twin-engine plane across the state. At 11 a.m., he will be in Frederick to host a ribbon-cutting celebrating the completion of the resurfacing of the Frederick Municipal Airport runway. The senator worked with the U.S. Air Force to get …
Polluter Loses License in North Dakota
While wastewater and its links to earthquakes is the news in Oklahoma, in North Dakota, it’s the case of a polluter being caught dumping wastewater into a rancher’s pasture. The North Dakota Industrial Commission voted this week to revoke the permit of Apollo Resources, a company caught intentionally pumping drilling mud and wastewater onto the …
Inhofe Voices Concerns About FAA Foot Dragging for Drone Users
Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe wanted brief answers and he got them this week from U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao who appeared before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. He raised two concerns including the Trump administration’s proposal to privatize the Federal Aviation Administration’s air traffic control system. “If this becomes a discussion in …
NextEra Energy Strikes Out Again With Proposed Purchase in Texas
Days after NextEra suffered a second legal setback in its plans to build two windfarms near Hinton, Oklahoma, the giant energy company was rejected a second time in its $18.7 billion offer to buy Texas-based Oncor. The Texas Public Utility Commissioners ruled against NextEra and did not without any discussion, stating the purchase would not …
Interior Secretary Wants to Know if Obama Administration Sage Grouse Plans Hinder Oil and Gas Development
More than two years after Sen. Jim Inhofe led the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee opposition to plans to protect the greater sage grouse from oil and gas drilling on federal lands, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is reviewing those plans. He announced this week the start of a review to determine if the plans …
OKC Receives $500,000 for Brownfield Cleanup Work
Oklahoma U.S. Rep. Steve Russell says the EPA selected Oklahoma City to receive $500,000 to help continue its work cleaning up contaminated brownfield properties. “Ultimately, actions such as these help us to be good stewards of the environment and can even save money before a situation becomes worse,” said Russell in making the announcement. Brownfields …