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House Democratic Leader Wants Oklahoma to Stop Accepting Out-of-State Wastewater
While Oklahoma wrestles with the continuing earthquakes that some scientists believe are a direct link to wastewater injection wells, Oklahoma State House Democratic leader Scott Inman proposes a ban on out-of-state wastewater. It’s what he told News 9’s Justin Dougherty in a recent interview. “I think the state should be looking into whether or not …
Trump Vows to End War on Coal, Eliminate WOTUS and Lift Energy Restrictions
In unveiling his energy specifics on Thursday, Donald Trump said America is sitting on a treasure trove of untapped energy. And he said if he’s elected President, he will end the war on coal and eliminate the EPA’s Water of the U.S. rule. He also made a point to thank Oklahoma energy mogul Harold Hamm. …
Oil and Gas—Largest Single Source of Tax Funding in State
Just how critical is the oil and gas industry to the state of Oklahoma. A new report from the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce says it makes up the largest single source of tax funding for public services in Oklahoma. Entitled “Economic Impact of the Oil and Gas Industry in Oklahoma,” the more than 60-page …
Phillips 66 Oil Leak Investigated at California’s San Pablo Bay
An investigation is underway into a possible oil leak from the Phillips 66 refinery or from a tanker docked at the refinery’s Marine Terminal in California’s San Pablo Bay near San Francisco. The U.S. Coast Guard first located an oil sheen on Wednesday and Phillips 66 officials issued a statement. “At the time, a tanker was berthed …
Exxon to Pay $12 million Over Yellowstone River Pipeline Oil Spill
A federal judge still has to approve the agreement, but Exxon says it will pay $12 million for environmental damages caused by an oil pipeline break that spilled 63,000 gallons of oil into Montana’s Yellowstone River. The break happened up stream of Billings, Montana’s largest city and required several months of cleanup. it also killed …
Clean Power Plan to be in Federal Appeals Court Next Week
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt will be paying close attention next week when a federal appeals court hears opening statements in the fight by the state and 27 others against the EPA’s Clean Power Plan. He is among those attorneys general who have sued the Environmental Protection Agency over the issue. Pruitt contends it infringes …
Oklahoma Highways Rank 17th in Condition and Cost Effectiveness
Drivers no doubt are saying you don’t need a national report to tell us how bad Oklahoma roads and highways are. Just ask truck drivers who haul oil and gas down the road. Or how about those truckers who tow those massive wind turbine blades to new wind farm sites. But a new annual report …
Fallin Blames Tough Legislative Session on Oil and Gas Downturn
The slumping economy in Oklahoma and the accompanying downturn in the oil and gas sector have obviously been a weighty concern for Gov. Mary Fallin, something she reflected on this week during a speech to the Enid Rotary club. “I know it hasn’t been an easy time for Enid,” stated the governor, according to a …
Energy Employment Losses Boost State’s Jobless Rate
As Oklahoma’s oil and gas industry added more workers to the list of the unemployed in August, it also resulted in a slight increase in the state’s overall unemployment rate, according to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. The Commission’s latest report shows the state’s jobless rate stands at 5.1 percent, up 0.1 of a percent …
The Politics of Oil, Presidential Candidates and Divorce
Under the headline “Clinton and Trump Used as Pawns in $1 Billion Divorce”, Vanity Fair is still writing about the messy divorce between billionaire oilman Harold Hamm and his ex-wife, Sue Ann Arnall. But now it’s exploring how Hamm’s a big Donald Trump supporter and Arnall is a supporter of Hillary Clinton. The magazine contends …