Author's posts
EPA’s Next Step is Regulating Jet Engine Exhaust Emissions
The Environmental Protection Agency now says jet engine exhaust is contributing to climate change and is endangering public health. The agency finalized its rules, determining that greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft are a danger to the environment. The move clears the way for federal regulation. It means regulations will soon cover the emissions of those …
Gasoline Prices Hit Lowest Oklahoma Average since April
Gasoline prices in Oklahoma are down to their lowest average since late April, reaching a new average of $1.94, according to figures released this week by AAA Oklahoma. The new average is 3 cents cheaper per gallon than one week ago, making the Oklahoma gasoline some of the cheapest in the U.S. “If your late-summer …
Corporation Commissioners to Get Power Pool Presentation
Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners will get a presentation this week concerning the Southwest Power Pool, the Integrated Marketplace and their impact on electric customers in the state. The presentations will be made Thursday at 2 p.m. in the Jim Thorpe building at the state capital complex. The Integrated Marketplace has meant huge changes in the cost, …
Nearly $6 million Bid on School Land Oil/Gas Leases
A recent Oklahoma Land Commission sale of oil and gas leases netted nearly $5.8 million on 98 different parcels of land in 14 different counties ranging from Texas County in the Panhandle to Pittsburg in the southeast. The honors for the largest amount of money paid for one lease went to Houston, Texas-based Newfield Exploration, a …
Clayton Williams Energy Unloads $150 million in Shares
Midland, Texas based Clayton Williams Energy, Inc. has announced he sale of $150 million in shares to funds managed by Ares Management, L.P. The sale involves 5,051,100 shares of common stock in the firm whose operations stretch into Oklahoma. Proceeds will be used to provide more liquidity for potential debt reduction transactions related to …
Small Percentage of Explorer Pipeline Acquired by Phillips 66
Phillips 66 Partners LP has announced it’s acquired another 2.5 percent equity interest in Tulsa-based Explorer Pipeline company. The purchase results in Phillips owning 22 percent of Explorer which is owned by subsidiaries of American Capital Strategies Ltd, Phillips66, Marathon, Sunoco Logistics and Shell. Neither side disclosed any terms of the purchase. Explorer operates a …
Inhofe says EPA Fails to Include Flyover Country on Advisory Committee
Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe is asking Environmental Protection Agency Director Gina McCarthy to correct her lack of geographic diversity on the list of candidates she nominated to serve on one of the agency’s advisory committees. In a recent letter, he pointed out how she has had a problem in making appointments in the past …
EPA Sued for Not Enforcing Ozone Mandates
In a lawsuit filed in California by a coalition of environmental and public-health groups, it is alleged the Environmental Protection Agency failed to enforce 16 states and the district of Columbia to finalize plans to reduce ozone pollution. Oklahoma is not one of them. “Millions of people are relying on the EPA to protect them …
Oil Slowdown Hits North Dakota Highway Traffic Figures
Any state that relies heavily on oil and gas gross production taxes for state revenue has felt the impact of the drop in oil prices over the past two years. Oklahoma has. So has Texas. And North Dakota finds fuel tax collections for the State’s Transportation Department are taking a hit with fewer vehicles on …
Colorado Police Deny Targeting Environmental Protesters by Using Undercover Officers
Turns out undercover police officers were in the crowd of oil and gas protesters who demonstrated peacefully last May in the Denver suburb of Lakewood. Police at Lakewood deny they were there to target the protesters but simply to provide information to commanders. The Associated Press says the department claims the undercover operators were not …