Author's posts
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 …
Sen. Lankford Calls Endangered Species List a New Weapon of the Environmental Left
Oklahoma U.S. Sen. James Lankford contends the American Burying Beetle is another example of what he calls the “new weapon of the environmental left.” That’s why he recently wrote the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ask it to remove the insect from its endangered species list, a story we reported on last week. …
EPA Sued for Not Regulating Oil and Gas Wastewater
The Environmental Protection Agency finds itself being sued by environmental advocacy group, largely because of earthquakes in Oklahoma and the handling of wastewater through injection wells. The groups recently filed suit claiming the EPA has not adequately regulated the disposal of waste from oil and gas drilling. The lead group filing the suit was the …
Wyoming Family Wins Pond Fight With EPA
Then there’s the Wyoming family that the Environmental Protection Agency threatened to fine more than $187,000 a day because it wanted to build a pond on their property in 2013. So Andy Johnson of Fort Bridger, Wyoming decided to fight and now he’s won. Republican U.S. Sen. John Barrasso announced the Johnsons will be able …
Worker Killed in Accident at Beaumont Refinery
Details have yet to be released but a work-place death occurred early Wednesday at the ExxonMobil plant in Beaumont, Texas. The company said it happened around 12:30 a.m.. “We regret that a contractor was fatally injured in an incident at a unit under maintenance at the Beaumont refinery,” explained Exxon in a statement. “We have …
France Considers Total Ban on U.S. Shale Gas from Fracking
France is considering a total ban of U.S. shale gas because of hydraulic fracking, according to a report this week by Reuters. The wire service quoted French Energy Minister Segolene Royal who has started an investigation to determine any legal way for the ban since France has banned shale gas exploration using hydraulic fracturing. She …
40th anniversary of Houston’s Deadly Anhydrous Ammonia Crash Observed
Wednesday was the 40th anniversary of a deadly anhydrous ammonia spill that left seven dead and nearly 200 injured in Houston, Texas. It happened May 11, 1976 when an 18-wheeler carrying 7,000 gallons of the ammonia fell from a freeway ramp, according to the Houston Chronicle. The fumes proved deadly for those too close to …