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Former Corporation Commission administrator received more than $200,000 in severance
When the Oklahoma Corporation Commission fired Brandy Wreath as Director of Administration in December 2025, it was mum about the reason and any possible financial settlement. Financial records now show Wreath received more than $220,000 in payments in continued salary and settlement with the final payments made just last month. According to the State …
New Mexico reaches agreement over thousands of cattle killed over PFAS contamination
After forever chemicals from an east New Mexico air force base contaminated nearby dairy farms resulting in the euthanization of 3,600 head of cattle, the New Mexico Environment Department has reached agreement with four of the dairies. The Department announced plans to investigate and remediate groundwater contaminated by toxic PFAS from Cannon Air Force Base. …
Legislators urge Supreme Court to end winter storm fleecing of ONG customers
In a scathing brief filed with the Oklahoma Supreme Court, two of the three legislators who have challenged the state’s use of bonds to allow utilities to pay for fuel costs during the 2021 Winter Storm Uri attacked Oklahoma Natural Gas Company, the Attorney General, Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett, and former Commission Director of Administration …
Tankers hit in Strait of Hormuz causing another spike in crude oil prices
New attacks on crude oil tankers trying to slip through the Strait of Hormuz heightened the world’s growing energy crisis as Iran refused to an unconditional surrender called by President Donald Trump. It resulted in a nearly 5% gain of crude oil prices. The attacks on three more ships only increased fears of worsened …
Fertilizer prices climb because of fighting against Iran
Oil prices aren’t the only commodity being felt because of the military strikes on Iran by the U.S., Israel and Middle Eastern allies. Oil prices soared this week to $119 a barrel and by late Wednesday had settled into the upper $80s for West Texas Intermediate and lower $90 for Brent crude. But ask …
What grew and what didn’t in February state tax revenue report
State Treasurer Todd Russ released the February 2026 State Tax Revenue Report, showing total monthly revenue of $1.2 billion, a 0.5% increase from February 2025 month to month. But it also reflected a nearly 10% drop in revenue from the gross production tax on oil and gas production in the state. Revenues were 22.5% lower …
Homeowner blames OGE wiring goof that damaged his appliances
Oklahoma Gas and Electric is looking into reports one of its contractors mistakenly cut the wrong electrical wire at an El Reno home late last year, causing a power surge that left a neighboring home with unusable appliances. KFOR TV reports OGE responded to its inquiries as it looked into what happened last December at …
Oklahoma is among 12 states considering data center bans
Oklahoma’s legislative consideration of temporarily banning construction of data centers is noted in one report that indicated 12 states are thinking of such a move. Oklahoma joins Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin where legislation was filed to carry out such a temporary ban …
Residents worry about environmental impact of $billion aluminum smelter at Inola
(Local residents gather for a community meeting in Inola on Mar. 7, 2026 to discuss the aluminum smelter planned for their community. Thomas Harrington explains to the crowd gathered the air pollution levels, chemical make up and distance that can be expected from the plant. (Rip Stell/Oklahoma Watch) A year after Oklahoma entered into …
Oklahoma wind farm operator gives up on Michigan wind project
Nearly 6 years after announcing efforts to build a 50,000-acre wind farm in central Michigan, Apex Clean Energy, a renewable energy firm with nearly half a dozen projects in Oklahoma, is giving up. The Virginia company said it was no longer pursuing approval and support for what was labeled the Montcalm Wind Project. While Apex …