Author's posts
AARP survey shows Americans want data centers to pay their way
The Oklahoma AARP says Oklahomans complain of high utility bills and they don’t want to be hit with higher rates because of data center construction. The state chapter says it has a national AARP survey to back up its claims and supports the efforts of one state legislator who filed a measure to …
New Director at OCC no stranger to Oklahoma state government
The man chosen to replace Oklahoma Corporation Commission Director of Administration Brandy Wreath is familiar with the operations of state government agencies. Jim Marshall worked previously in executive levels at three state departments before he was appointed by Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners in December 2025 to serve as the Director of Administration and the agency’s Appointing Authority. As …
Why Harold Hamm’s Continental Resources drills in Argentina
Drilling for oil in the western reaches of Argentina, the play known as Vaca Muerta, looks much like drilling in the Permian Basin of West Texas and Southeast New Mexico. The terrain is flat and dry but it is also a host for major deposits of shale oil and shale gas. Vaca Muerta is Spanish for dead …
Oklahoma DOT Launches $76M I-40 Clinton Interchange Project
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) opened the new year with multiple major construction efforts underway, including a $76 million interchange improvement project on Interstate 40 in Clinton. Transportation Commissioners recently received an update on the Clinton project, which ODOT is delivering through a partnership with the City of Clinton and will stretch over the …
Oklahoma Delegation Split on Colorado Water Pipeline Veto
Oklahoma lawmakers divided as House fails to override veto Oklahoma’s congressional delegation split sharply last week as the U.S. House failed to override President Donald Trump’s veto of federal financing for a 130-mile water pipeline project in Colorado, a long-delayed effort known as the Arkansas Valley Conduit. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, joined Rep. Lauren Boebert, …
Scott Mitchell talks energy with Jerry Bohnen—Harold Hamm, data centers and more
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1203554177952520 A big list of energy topics for Scott Mitchell and Jerry Bohnen to talk about in their latest podcast of Mitchell talks energy with Jerry Bohnen. From Harold Hamm and what he told the President about getting involved in Venezuelan oil production to the request of utilities for more power because of data centers, …
Uneasiness over Venezuela and Iran sent crude oil prices up on Tuesday
Because of the continued geopolitical risks and possible supply disruptions in Iran and Venezuela, crude oil prices recorded increases in Tuesday’s trading and US crude topped $60 a barrel. Oilprice.com reported protests in Iran have resurfaced as a market concern, reviving long-running questions about internal stability in a country that remains a sizeable OPEC producer …
Two rural broadband projects completed in SW Oklahoma
Two high-speed internet expansion projects funded by the Oklahoma Broadband office and the federal government have been completed in two southwest counties in Oklahoma. Residents and businesses in Washita and Greer counties saw recent completion after being administered by the state office and funded through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. The projects, …
Energy briefs
** President Trump praises the AI boom, but calls for data center builders to “pay their own way” in a social media post. ** A federal judge overturns the Interior Department order halting construction on the nearly-complete Revolution Wind, which the Trump administration targeted in December along with four other wind projects. ** A federal …
Trump presses for consumer protection from data center power costs
President Donald Trump has joined those who believe data center developers should have the responsibility of producing their own power rather than relying on increased rates of customers of power providing utilities. His public comments this week echoed a move by Rep. Brad Boles,R-Marlow, who filed a bill to protect ratepayers from the power …