The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday morning on opposition to an 88-mile proposed railway to carry oil from Utah and across Colorado—oil that in some cases is intended for Oklahoma’s Cushing Hub. Analysts and some environmentalists wonder if the eventual decision will drastically change how projects are permitted nationwide. Ever since the …
Category: EPA
Energy briefs
** The state of Oregon has advanced its sustainability efforts by approving the Sunstone Solar project, which will span about 10,000 acres in Morrow County. Set to be the largest of its kind in the U.S., the project will use nearly 4 million solar panels to generate 1,200 megawatts of power—enough to provide clean, emission-free electricity to …
Energy briefs
** The Biden administration has made a precedent-setting arrest related to anti-climate change activities this fiscal year, highlighted in a new report that shows a ramped-up enforcement effort against environmental offenses. The AIM Act led to the arrest of Michael Hart, of San Diego, in March on charges related to “smuggling potent greenhouse gases,” highlighted in …
New Mexico hits oil company with $48 million fine over environmental violations
New Mexico environmental regulators have hit Targa Northern Delaware LLC with a nearly $48 million fine and orders to do nearly $140 million in completion of projects and improvements to a processing plant. The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) initiated an enforcement action against Targa Northern Delaware, LLC, a subsidiary of Houston, Texas-based natural gas …
Energy briefs
** President-elect Donald Trump has selected Jared Isaacman, entrepreneur, pilot, and all-around space enthusiast, as the next NASA administrator, marking a major shift in the space agency’s leadership. ** A Chinese hacking campaign that has spied on the texts and calls of U.S. citizens by hacking telecommunications companies is significantly larger than previously known to the …
Governor fires Energy Secretary over Illinois River pollution case
Politics can be a rough and tumble business—just ask Ken McQueen who was sacked this week as Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment. He was fired by Gov. Stitt after the governor learned Tuesday that McQueen had joined Attorney General Gentner Drummond in appearing at a Tulsa federal court hearing in the nearly …
Energy briefs
** Meta said on Tuesday it is seeking proposals from nuclear power developers to help meet its artificial intelligence and environment goals, becoming the latest big tech company to take interest in atomic power amid an expected boom in electricity demand. ** Donald Trump said Monday (Dec 2) he is opposed to Nippon Steel’s planned $15 …
The background of Trump’s pick to be the new Energy Secretary
He might be President-elect Donald Trump’s go-to energy guy but what do we really know about Denver oilman Chris Wright, the leader who once drank a glass of fracking fluids to prove they are safe? “To your health and the longer lives and healthier lives of billions of people around the world from oil …
Energy briefs
** President-elect Trump’s promise to eliminate federal tax credits for electric vehicles is being championed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who recently told investors such a move would be “devastating” for the company’s competitors. ** An analysis finds that Texas edges out California for the most clean energy jobs in the U.S., a disproportionate number of which …
Energy briefs
** Boeing’s CEO is cutting private jet use for executives to reduce costs. The company directed executives to fly economy on commercial flights instead. Boeing is searching for ways to save money after a rough year. ** Tyson Foods on Monday announced to employees it would close its facility in Emporia, Kansas in February 2025. The plant …
