Author's posts
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 …
XTO Energy Battles Another Class Action Lawsuit
For several years, XTO Energy Inc. of Texas has been fighting class-action lawsuits in which it stands accused of underpayments on gas royalties. In the latest case, an Arkansas Federal judge on Wednesday declined class certification to several royalty owners who sued XTO, a company with offices in Oklahoma City and Fort Worth. The suit …
Dry Conditions are Slowly Spreading Statewide
More of the state is coming under drier conditions and the latest U.S. Drought monitor has 31 percent listed in a severe drought. The Oklahoma Mesonet also indicated that 4.03 percent is under an extreme drought while there are no areas under the worst conditions….those listed as exceptional drought. Nonetheless, the dry conditions are growing. …
Arkansas AG Sues EPA over Regional Haze Plan
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt isn’t the only state attorney general to file suit against the EPA. Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge did the same this week, suing the Environmental Protection Agency over its Federal Implementation Plan for regional haze in the state. “Without a stay of this unlawful plan, Arkansas, its citizens and …