Ford Considers F-150 Lightning Withdrawal as EV Sales Expectations Fall Ford reportedly discussed scrapping its electric F-150 Lightning. The automaker expects energy sector EV sales to fall over the next few years. Ford leadership now questions near term EV adoption curves. The company sees stubborn pricing compression and higher consumer hesitancy. Industry analysts said weakening …
Category: EPA
Tension Grows Between Trump and Energy Chief Wright
Tension Builds Between Trump and Energy Secretary Wright Political tension in Washington is spilling into the U.S. energy sector as reports circulate that Energy Secretary Chris Wright, a former Colorado oil executive, may be losing favor with President Donald Trump. Sources describe their relationship as “strained,” with the President reportedly disappointed that Wright has not …
Energy Brief: Oklahoma Feels Effects of U.S. Energy Shifts
Federal Shutdown Hits U.S. Energy Operations Widespread furloughs are underway at the federal agency charged with overseeing the U.S. nuclear stockpile. It’s the latest fallout from the government shutdown, now in its 20th day with no end in sight. ** The Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan received fresh nuclear fuel on Monday in what the facility’s …
Stitt, Drummond Clash Over Tyson Pollution Case
Governor Seeks Faster Resolution in Tyson Case Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt recently expressed more differences with Attorney General Gentner Drummond and did so in the long-running federal court case against Tyson Foods over the poultry waste pollution in eastern Oklahoma. Balancing Environmental and Economic Concerns It’s no secret the two are at odds over issues …
Energy Brief: DOE Loan Boosts Oklahoma Power Lines
DOE Loan Targets Oklahoma Power Line Modernization The U.S. Department of Energy approved a $1.6 billion loan guarantee for American Electric Power (AEP) to modernize 5,000 miles of high-voltage power lines. The upgrades will cross Oklahoma, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. This project will strengthen regional reliability and reduce outages linked to severe weather. …
Energy briefs
** A fire ignited at BP’s 440,000 barrel-per-day oil refinery in Whiting, Indiana, before it was extinguished on Friday morning, the company said. The blaze at the largest refinery in the U.S. Midwest caused gasoline prices to spike in parts of the region. The fire resulted from an operational incident, and there were no injuries, the company said in …
Williams Cos. waits on a New Jersey pipeline decision
Williams Cos. awaits a decision from New Jersey regulators on its request for approval of its Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline project . The Oklahoma-based company complied with a recent September 25 deadline at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Before Williams can move ahead with the pipeline project, it will need …
New Mexico Senator accuses Energy Secretary of “stealing” energy grants
New Mexico U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich accused Energy Secretary Chris Wright of stealing federal funding for “fully legally compliant energy projects.” He’s also getting his state attorney general involved in fighting Wright’s move of cancelling nearly $8 billion in green energy grants. Heinrich might have some sway in the fight since he is the top …
Energy briefs
** Scientists at Missouri S&T University are hoping to make a major breakthrough in a new study that will examine how a high-enrichment-level nuclear fuel performs in small modular and microreactors. According to Interesting Engineering, the study will be undertaken in partnership with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy. ** The Department of Energy has …
More Hydrogen Hub funding cuts coming?
Those Oklahoma leaders who sought government funding under the Biden administration to develop a regional hydrogen hub with Louisiana and Arkansas might be thankful they didn’t get it. Because after cutting more than $2 billion from 7 hydrogen hubs on the West Coast last week, the U.S. Energy Department reportedly has plans to …