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Talk of a Biden ban on US crude exports leaves prices down
All it took was a comment from U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to say the Biden administration has not ruled out a ban on petroleum exports and oil futures fell in the U.S. while managing a slight increase in Europe. West Texas Intermediate crude for July delivery dropped 52 cents or 0.5% after Granholm’s …
AARP delivers 7,000 protests of OGE rate hike
Just as promised this week, the AARP sent nearly 7,000 petitions to Oklahoma regulators in protest of the $164 million rate hike proposed by Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company. The hike would mean an average $10 a month boost in the bill of a typical residential customer. The AARP organized the protest of postcards …
OEPA awaits Governor’s response to enhanced recovery incentives bill
A bill aimed at restoring economic incentives for new enhanced recovery projects and at-risk marginal wells in Oklahoma is sitting on Gov. Kevin Stitt’s desk. The House approved HB 3568 on a 70-6 vote last Thursday followed by State Senate approval on a 43-0 vote on Friday and the measure was sent immediately …
OERB brings Mike Rowe to Oklahoma
If you happened to see it on TV this week—yes, that was Mike Rowe, he of the “Dirty Jobs” television show, who was promoting Oklahoma’s oil and gas industry. His appearance was courtesy of OERB as explained this week in the OERB newsletter. “We are excited to share some of the first videos of …
16 counties in Oklahoma have gasoline prices higher than $4
Gasoline prices in Oklahoma continue a slow climb upward and as of Tuesday at least 16 of the state’s 77 counties had averages better than $4 a gallon. The highest average in the state is in Coal County where prices are $4.60 a gallon. The range of $4-plus gasoline is not just in the …
Diesel prices sit at more than $5 a gallon in Oklahoma while Biden considers using diesel reserve to lower prices
While diesel fuel prices across Oklahoma are still higher than $5 a gallon and the nationwide average is at $5.54, the Biden administration is now considering a move to use the federal diesel reserve to address energy shortfalls. Oklahoma’s average diesel fuel price on Tuesday was $5.12, down 11 cents from a week ago, …
Headlines of other energy stories
** Reps. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and Don McEachin (D-Va.) are introducing a bill to eliminate 11 tax breaks for oil and gas companies, including for marginal wells and enhanced oil recovery, to fund a $500 direct cash rebate for consumers reeling from high prices. ** President Biden seems to praise high gas prices as ‘incredible transition’ Americans must go through. …
Xcel agrees to nearly $1 million EPA fine over Colorado coal ash problem
The EPA announced this week it reached at $925,000 fine and settlement with Public Service Company of Colorado over its storage of coal ash at one of its power plants. Public Service Company of Colorado is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Minnesota-based Xcel Energy and has 30 days to pay the fine that resulted from an …
New Mexico governor blames feds for massive wildfire still burning
While one deadly and massive wildfire in New Mexico was being blamed in a lawsuit on an electric utility, the state’s largest fire, still burning out of control, is blamed on the federal government. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said this week the federal government faces “significant” legal liability for igniting the fire …
Lawsuit blames Public Service Company of New Mexico for Ruidoso fire
Didn’t take long for a lawsuit to be filed over a massive wildfire that destroyed more than 200 homes in Ruidoso, New Mexico last month. The suit filed by three property owners blames the fire on the Public Service Company of New Mexico, accusing the utility of failing to do a good job of …