Author's posts
South Central Kansas Oilman Indicted in $8 million Scheme
A south central Kansas man has been indicted on charges of running a nearly $8 million oil and gas scheme and if he’s convicted could get up to 20 years in prison. Federal prosecutors in Wichita revealed the indictment this week against David Lawson of Hillsboro, Kansas. the 70-year old was the owner and director …
Senator Contends Wind Industry is Doing Nothing to Help the State
When the State Senate approved SB 1577 this week, only two Senators voted against cutting the tax credit for the state’s at-risk oil wells. One of them was Sen. Ralph Shortey of Oklahoma City who led the debate against putting a $12.5 million cap on the credits that were expected to swell to $25 million …
Inhofe Cites Proof Feds are using WOTUS for Overreach
Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe says he and his supporters are still fighting the “overreach” of the federal government, especially when it comes to the Waters of the U.S. Rule that is on hold in the federal courts. “I have heard concerns that the Corps and EPA are continuing to expand federal control over land …
Railroad Improvement Tax Credit Trimmed by New Law in Oklahoma
One of the 14 bills signed into law Tuesday by Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin focuses on limiting tax credits for railroad rehabilitation and improvements in the state. She signed House Bill 3204 into law making it immediately effective. The bill cuts the tax credit by 25 percent Authors were Representatives Earl Sears and Dennis Casey …
Aeronautics Commission Renews Aerospace Contract
(From the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission) While the state legislature is deciding final agency budgets this week at the Oklahoma Capitol, a high-level meeting at the entity for all things aeronautics was buzzing with activity as well. Most of the general public and even some state and federal lawmakers are unaware of a hidden armament tucked …
Range Resources Escapes $9 million Fine
Fort Worth based-Range Resources, a firm with hundreds of thousands of leased acres for exploration in Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle escaped a nearly $9 million fine this week in Pennsylvania over a gas well that leaked methane into drinking water supplies and streams. The firm’s Range Resources-Appalachia LLC reached an agreement with Pennsylvania’s Department …
Baker Hughes Moves to Buy Back $1 billion in Notes
In a move to improve its financial standings, Houston-based Baker Hughes Incorporated has started a tender offer to purchase for cash up to $1 billion in senior notes that are due in 2018, 2021, 2024, 2029 and 2040. The offer will continue until midnight, New York City time at the end of June 22, 2016. …
Federal Judge Turns Aside EPA’s Challenge to WOTUS Fight
Months after he issued a ruling that put the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the U.S. Rule on hold, the same North Dakota federal judge ruled this week against a challenge made by the EPA. U.S. District Judge Ralph E. Erickson ruled Tuesday against the claims of the EPA to dismiss the challenges to …
House Approves Move to Defund WOTUS Rule
In a voice vote Tuesday night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a new energy bill that moves to defund the Environmental Protection Agency’s controversial Waters of the U.S. Rule. The defunding is part of a $37.4 billion bill to fund the Department of Energy and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and several energy …
Another Pig Poop to Electricity Deal’s Announced
Updating a story we recently told you about concerning electricity from “pig poop,” Duke Energy Corp. in North Carolina has signed another deal to create electricity from the pig waste. Considered the nation’s largest electric company, Duke Energy said the deal is to collect methane gas from the animal waste and convert it into fuel …