Author's posts
Another ‘Federal Fumbles’ Report Coming to a Website Near You!
Oklahoma U.S. Sen. James Lankford indicates he’s discovered so much more wasteful federal spending that he has decided to issue a second “Federal Fumbles” government waste report. He plans to release it on Nov 28. “The American people have signaled a bold new direction for Washington with the election of President-elect Donald Trump,” said the …
Samson Finalizes Sale of North Dakota Holdings to Cut Debt
Australia’s Samson Oil and Gas says it’s reduced its outstanding debt to $19 million through the closing of the North Stockyard sale of its holdings in North Dakota’s Bakken play. At the same time, Mutual of Omaha Bank has increased the company’s borrowing base to $20 million as part of a new syndicated loan involving …
Senator Says It’s Time to Bring an End to Wind Industry Tax Credits
Oklahoma’s wind industry withstood another attack on the credits it’s getting from the state during a Thursday meeting of the Incentive Evaluation Commission, the group that’s studying tax credits and recommending which ones should be shelved or reduced to help the state budget. State Senator Mike Mazzei, who is the outgoing Senate Finance Committee chairman said …
PSO Didn’t Get the Rate Hike it Wanted——Customers to Get Refunds
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has approved a lower rate increase than asked for by Public Service Company of Oklahoma. It came Thursday on a 2-1 vote to allow PSO a $14 million rate hike, far below the $130 million the company asked for when it filed a request in July 2015. Commissioners Bob Anthony and …
Fallin, Hamm and Bridenstine Among Oklahomans Still Mentioned in Trump Administration
Either someone at Politico didn’t get the message or the political news publication is on target. As of Friday, it was still including the names of Oklahomans Mary Fallin and Harold Hamm as possible appointees along with that of U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine in a new Donald Trump administration. “The biggest game in town right now is …
How Trump’s Election Could Affect Energy Industry
Donald Trump’s election this week has observers of the nation’s energy industry speculating how the surprise win will play out on matters dealing with oil and gas, coal and even the EPA’s Clean Power Plan, as well as WOTUS. Some are even suggesting climate change policies put into effect by President Obama in the past …
Inhofe Names New Communications Director
Senator Jim Inhofe has named a new Communications Director for his Senate office and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee he chairs. Daisy Letendre started work Thursday in her new capacity, replacing Donelle Harder who took a new opportunity in Oklahoma City. “Daisy is a talented individual who has effectively and proactively communicated …
Hamm Vows to Stay Put at Continental Resources—–Won’t take Cabinet Job if Offered by Trump
He was Donald Trump’s key energy adviser during the presidential campaign and many thought Harold Hamm would be in line to be named Energy Secretary. But the day after Trump pulled off an upset win for the White House, Hamm said he would remain at the company he founded, Continental Resources Inc. “As excited as …
Texas Woman Gets Prison Time for Oil and Gas Scheme
A Texas woman gets a 22-year prison sentence for selling interests in phantom oil and gas exploration projects and admitting she took $225,000 from investors. Susan Gay Pruitt, 45 was set to go to trial this week but stopped the proceedings by pleading guilty to money laundering and theft charge. Just last month, another Texas …
Drilling to Start Under North Dakota Lake Despite Native American Protests
While hundreds still protest the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota, the parent company says most of the work is nearly finished on the $3.8 billion project. And Dakota Access LLC, a subsidiary of Energy Transfer Partners based in Dallas, is about to move ahead with plans to tunnel beneath a lake that’s at the …