Rapid data center growth expected across western states A new study examining the impact of data centers across western U.S. states, including Colorado and New Mexico, warns that artificial intelligence-driven development could expand more than four times faster than growth seen over the past decade. The analysis finds the surge will not only drive up …
Category: EPA
Water District files suit over “forever” chemicals
The existence of so-called “forever chemicals” has led to a lawsuit filed by a Grady County rural water district against several manufacturers, including DuPont and 3M. The lawsuit was filed by Grady County Rural Water District #6, which serves parts of northern Grady County, including customers living near Chickasha, Amber, Tuttle, and Minco. The suit …
Energy Brief: AI spending risks, geothermal, oil
AI spending boom raises investor concerns The AI spending boom is entering a “dangerous” phase as Big Tech firms increasingly tap external investors to cover mounting costs, a top executive at hedge fund giant Bridgewater Associates said Monday, according to Reuters. The warning underscores the degree of unease rippling through markets as several investors have …
Senate Leader urges negotiation over poultry lawsuit
State Officials Sound Alarm Over Stalled Negotiations After a visit to eastern Oklahoma Thursday to meet with individuals involved in the poultry industry and other local stakeholders, Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, is calling on those involved in the State of Oklahoma v. Tyson Foods case to return to the negotiating table and work …
Energy briefs
** The Trump administration moves to reverse the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s policy giving tribal nations veto power over proposed hydropower projects on their land. ** In 2024, 42 of the 50 states saw fewer solar installations last year than the year before, and there was an overall 39% decrease in capacity. That trend has continued …
Groups urge Congress to stop data center growth
Environmental Groups Call for National Data Center Moratorium Hundreds of environmental groups across the country now say it is time for a national moratorium on the growth of data centers, citing massive concerns involving energy use, water consumption, climate impacts and electricity costs. None of the organizations that signed the letter operate out of Oklahoma, …
Tyson threatens pullout of poultry operations in Oklahoma over pollution enforcement
Tyson Foods is threatening to end its poultry-raising contracts in eastern Oklahoma if State Attorney General Gentner Drummond doesn’t ease up on his efforts to force a cleanup of poultry pollution of the Illinois River and Lake Tenkiller. The company issued a statement recently in response to Drummond’s contention the companies responsible for the pollution …
New Mexico Energy Secretary resigns
New Mexico’s Top Energy Official Resigns; Governor Names Acting EMNRD Secretary New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham lost one of her highest-ranking energy officials on Friday as Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Melanie Kenderdine officially resigned. The governor’s office said Kenderdine stepped down for personal reasons, but did not elaborate further, according to the …
Energy rollback bills sent to the full House for votes
From making it easier to extend Broadband services to rural areas of the nation to roll-back of appliance standards and gas hookups in new construction—–they were among 15 bills recently passed by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and sent to the full house for a vote. Gas hookup bans, showerhead water limits, and …
Energy briefs
** U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum says New England and California are to blame for their own high electricity rates because of policies that drove fossil fuel power plants to close, and also says the states’ use of imported oil makes them national security risks. ** An oversight group for PJM Interconnection calls on the …