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Busy Week for U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee
Oklahoma Congressman Markwayne Mullin and other members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee meet Tuesday to vote on reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The measure would also direct the Administration to increase transparency and accountability and finish long overdue regulations. It is among numerous bills to be marked up …
Oklahoma and other States Move Ahead in Challenge to New EPA Ozone Standards
The legal battle is underway between Oklahoma and other states that filed a legal challenge months ago to the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed new ozone standard, one that was released last fall. More filings were made late last week in federal court with Oklahoma and other critics contending the 70 parts per bill is too low and …
Corporation Commission to Hold Thursday Hearing into $500 million OGE Scrubber Plan
Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners will hold deliberations Thursday in the third try by Oklahoma Gas and Electric to win approval for the installation of $500 million in scrubbers to the utility’s Sooner coal plant. It’s a move that has been denied twice previously by the commission, but if approved this time, would eventually lead to higher …
OERB’s Well Site Safety Day at the Capitol
The Oklahoma Energy Resources Board’s annual Well Site Safety day will be Tuesday as children from across the state are educated about the dangers of playing around oil and gas wells. The day will begin with a poster parade and a legislator meet and greet at the State Capitol at 10 a.m. OERB will also …
Bill Controlling Drone Flights in Oklahoma Still Alive in the Legislature
A Drone bill is closer to being sent to Governor Mary Fallin for signature into law. House Bill 2599, authored by Sen. Ron Sharp would restrict flights of unmanned aircraft over “critical infrastructure” less than 400 feet above ground or past their fence lines. The Senate passed the measure last week and returned it to …
Inhofe Says US Purchase of Iran’s Heavy Water is Wrong
Oklahoma U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe says the U.S. should not be “rewarding bad behavior” by spending nearly $9 million to purchase 32 tons of heavy water from Iran in order to help the country comply with the Iran Nuclear Deal. The senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee continues to be critical of the …
2,500 Jobs Cut by Schlumberger in First Quarter
Whether some of the job cuts happened in Oklahoma, Schlumberger NV isn’t specifying but the Houston, Texas based firm confirms it laid off nearly 2,500 workers in the first quarter of 2016. The company’s profit dropped 49 percent while revenues fell 36 percent from $10.25 billion down to $6.52 billion. First-quarter net income fell to …
Kentucky’s Largest Solar Power Plant Nearly Operational
The largest solar facility in the State of Kentucky has been unveiled by Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities. Located near Burgin, the complex includes a hydroelectric plant, three coal-fired generating units and seven natural gas-fired combustion turbines. The $36 million project was approved by the State Public Service Commission in December 2014 and …
Government’s Proposed New Flaring Regulations Opposed by New Mexico Land Commissioner
The State Land Commissioner in New Mexico is speaking out against new flaring rules coming from the Obama administration. The federal government wants to restrict oil companies that burn off natural gas on public land but Commissioner Aubrey Dunn in Santa Fe is fighting it. He has announced his office has submitted comments against the …
Severe Weather in Northern Oklahoma’s Tuesday Forecast
Those who work in the oil and gas fields of northwestern Oklahoma as well as electrical company workers will want to know that Tuesday could bring severe weather to the region. It’s the forecast from News 9 meteorologist Jed Castles. “Many of the ingredients are coming together for severe weather Tuesday. Parts of our region …