** President Donald Trump on Monday indicated that he wants to reach an agreement with Ukraine to gain access to the country’s rare earth materials as a condition for continuing U.S. support for its war against Russia. ** Colombian energy company Ecopetrol is renewing its oil joint venture with U.S. firm Occidental Petroleum in the Permian …
Category: EPA
Burgum makes quick energy changes at Interior Department
Carrying out the direction of President Donald Trump, his new Interior Secretary, former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum on Monday initiated six orders changing the way energy was viewed by the Biden administration. Burgum’s orders, with a goal of maximizing domestic energy and minerals production, directed agencies to speed up the permitting of energy …
Wright confirmed to be Energy Secretary
Denver oilman Christopher Wright has been confirmed to be the next Secretary of the Energy, winning U.S. Senate confirmation Monday night on a vote of 59-38. The CEO of Liberty Energy will take over an energy department reversing course when it comes to oil and gas development, or as President Trump has repeated, “drill …
Pollution of the Illinois River
As the state awaits a federal court ruling about chicken litter pollution of the Illinois River, environmentalists recently toured the river in eastern Oklahoma. The civil case involves Tyson Foods, Simmons Foods and Cargill who were sued 20 years ago and accused of knowing the chicken litter from used to fertilize farm fields was …
Trucking industry awaits possible rules changes in a Trump administration
The nation’s trucking industry could see changes with the return of Donald Trump to the White House. Which changes—-industry observers aren’t sure. Some might involve a rollback of the emissions standards created under the Biden administration. From corporate leaders to the men and women behind the wheels of big trucks up and down …
Energy briefs
** Energy Fuels Inc. reached an agreement with the Navajo Nation to resume transport of uranium ore on the nation’s territory after a six-month standoff that halted production at the company’s Arizona mine. ** Chevron Corp., investor Engine No. 1 and GE Vernova Inc. formed a partnership to develop natural gas-fired power plants next to …
Zeldin confirmed as EPA Administrator
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed former New York congressman Lee Zeldin to be the new administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. He was confirmed on a 56-42 vote as three Democrats, Mark Kelly of Arizona, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Ruben Gallego of Arizona supporting his nomination. Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) abstained …
Energy briefs
** As promised, President Donald Trump began reversing the country’s energy policies his first day in office with a spate of orders largely favoring oil, gas and coal. But there is one renewable energy that did find favor: geothermal. Energy experts say that makes sense — geothermal energy makes electricity 24/7. Many people working in the field …
US Senate committee approval for Burgum and Wright
The two men picked to head the Interior Department and the Energy Department received support Thursday from committees in the U.S. Senate. The full senate is where the nominations of former North Dakota governor Doug Burgum to head the Interior Department and Denver oilfield services leader Chris Wright to run the Energy Department will head …
President Biden’s climate standards for walk-in freezers could face reckoning under new GOP resolution by Congresswoman Bice
Congressional Republicans, including Oklahoma Congresswoman Stephanie Bice, are pushing back against President Biden’s regulations on appliances with a resolution that seeks to circumvent new green energy standards for freezers. In December 2024, Biden’s Department of Energy (DOE) announced a final rule setting more stringent climate standards for walk-in coolers and freezers. The new regulation …