Author's posts
Seventy Seven Energy Gets Support from Creditors—–Still Plans Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filing
Days after announcing it had started asking for approval from its creditors of a prepackaqed Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan, Oklahoma City-based Seventy Seven Energy Inc. stated it had entered into a second amended and Restated Restructuring Support agreement. But it still intends to head to bankruptcy court. In Friday’s announcement, the struggling energy …
DiCaprio Joins Fight Against Dakota Access Pipeline
Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners LP, the same firm in the midst of a merger with Tulsa’s Williams Companies, has successfully won agreement with every landowner along its $3.8 billion Dakota Access Pipeline in the Dakotas. But the pipeline has picked up opposition from movie star Leonardo DiCaprio who said he is “standing with the Great Sioux Nation …
Big Energy and Water bill Passed by U.S. Senate
Oklahoma U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe and James Lankford were among those who voted to pass a $37.5 billion energy and water bill on Thursday in the Senate. The overwhelming approval came after an impasse was resolved over a Republican amendment that Democrats contended would wrongly weaken the administration’s nuclear deal with Iran. The energy and …
Unfinished Nuclear Power Plant for Sale
For sale: Cheap. Never completed nuclear power plant. Only $36 billion. It’s a want ad you won’t read in the newspaper as the Tennessee Valley Authority decided recently to declare the Bellefonte nuclear plant near Hollywood, Alabama to be surplus. While the 1,600 acre site is unfinished, it’s cost more than $4 billion over the past …
Energy Groups Sue to Stop Greater Protection of Sage Grouse
Even as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service moved this week to not relist the Lesser Prairie Chicken as a threatened species, the government was being sued over efforts to protect the greater sage grouse. The Western Energy Alliance and North Dakota Petroleum Council filed suit over the drilling restrictions put in place to protect …
EPA Unveils New Rules Targeting Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas
Final regulations clamping down on methane emissions from new and modified oil and gas operations were finalized Thursday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It’s part of the Obama administration’s effort to slash emissions by 40 to 45 percent from 2012 levels by 2025. The rule is aimed at preventing 11 million metric tons of …
Rep. Bridenstine Praises Feds Over Prairie Chicken Decision
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided this week not to pursue relisting the Lesser Prairie Chicken as a threatened species, an announcement that drew applause from Oklahoma Congressman Jim Bridenstine. “This has long been an effort by members of congress from Oklahoma. I’m glad the USFWS has received the message,” said Rep. Bridenstine after …
T-Boone Pickens Throws Support to Donald Trump
Because of his close ties to Oklahoma’s oil and gas industry and to Oklahoma State University, it seems many fans of billionaire oilman T-Boon Pickens pay close attention when he speaks. This week, he spoke in Las Vegas while attending a hedge fund conference and told reporters he will support Donald Trump, the man most …
Governor Signs Bill Eliminating Scenic Rivers Commission
One of the 13 bills signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Mary Fallin does away with the 39-year old Oklahoma Scenic Rives Commission and consolidates it with the Grand River Dam Authority. Under SB 1383, the responsibilities of the Commission will be assumed by the GRDA effective July 1, 201. “Effective July 1, 2016, the …
Solar Plane Enroute to Tulsa—-Pilot Says Plane Can Stay in the Air Forever
The solar-powered airplane, Solar Impulse 2 is scheduled to land late tonight in Tulsa, enroute from Phoenix, Arizona on an18-hour flight. Tulsa was picked at the last minute as a landing site because of clear weather. Those behind the round-the-world flight attempt that started in March 2015 in the United Arab Emirates must be careful …