Author's posts
Inhofe at Odds with White House Over Environmental Quality Council
Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe is again at odds with the Obama White House. And yes, it involves climate change. This time, it’s in a difference of opinion with the White House Council on Environmental Quality and its final guidance on considering climate change in environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act. As chairman …
Oklahoma Avoids List of Worst States for Car and Truck Pollution
The Natural Resources Defense Council is out with a report showing which states are worst when it comes to carbon pollution in the U.S. No, Oklahoma is not one of them. But Texas, California, Florida, New York, Illinois and Ohio are. The Council’s report says seven states, California, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia …
Energy Transfer and Sunoco Await $2 billion Windfall
Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, the company that left Tulsa’s Williams Companies standing at the merger-altar last month joined with Sunoco Logistics Partners in the sale of a minority ownership of a major Bakken pipeline project. And it means a nearly-automatic $2 billion increase in cash for ETP and Sunoco. Enbridge Energy Partners of Canada and Marathon …
Oklahoma Joins Lawsuits Challenging EPA’s New Methane Emissions Rules.
Put Oklahoma on the list of the states and groups that have sued the Environmental Protection Agency in a challenge of the agency’s new federal regulations for methane emissions at oil and natural gas locations. Attorney General Scott Pruitt joined the suits on Tuesday, claiming the EPA does not have the legal authority to create …
Enbridge Oil Pipeline Project on Hold in Minnesota
With the announcement by Enbridge Energy it will invest in a different pipeline to move North Dakota crude oil but not across Minnesota, questions remain about the proposed oil pipeline through the northern reaches of the state. Enbridge, based in Canada had proposed the $2.6 billion Sandpiper pipeline to cross Minnesota and carry Bakken oil …
Senator Says State Needs to be Ready for Loss of Oil and Gas Revenue
“We need to start thinking and talking about the day when we don’t have oil and gas resources at all.” Sen. David Holt One of the 36 interim studies approved by the State Senate leadership in Oklahoma in the past several days focuses on a long-term strategy for replacing revenue provided by oil and …
Continental Resources to Expand into STACK
In announcing its second quarter loss of more than $119 million this week, Oklahoma City-based Continental Resources Inc. also revealed it is selling more than 29,000 net acres in the SCOOP play to pay down some of its debt. Continental has been a major player in the southern part of the state and despite the …
Oil and Gas Layoffs Contribute to Oklahoma’s Growth in Unemployment
Jobless rates for June in Oklahoma showed more growth in 65 of the state’s 77 counties with the oil and gas industry contributing, according to a county-by-county breakdown provided by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. The rates were higher than a year ago but dropped in 10 counties and remained unchanged in 2 counties. Stephens …
SandRidge Sued by South Texas School District in Fight Over Land Values
Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy isn’t alone in being sued by a Texas school district. Add SandRidge Energy to the list of those hauled into court. SandRidge has been sued by the Fort Stockton Independent School District and accused of owing the district more than $500 million, according to the Journal Record. The school district contends …
Environmental Activists Found “Not Guilty” in 2013 Protest at Devon Energy Headquarters
Two environmental activists were acquitted this week on charges stemming from a December 2013 protest demonstration at the Devon Energy headquarters in downtown Oklahoma City. Chief Municipal Court Judge Phillipa James announced not guilty verdicts in favor of Moriah Stephenson and Stefan Warner who had been arrested and charged originally with Terrorism Hoax felonies. The …