How hot has it been in Oklahoma? State Climatologist Gary McManus put it this way in his Monday morning Oklahoma Mesonet report. “Ugh. It was so hot I saw a couple of fire hydrants fighting over a dog.” Or. “It was so hot yesterday I saw a funeral procession pull into Sonic at 2:30pm to …
Category: General
Utilities hold “Happy Hour” events with Corporation Commission staffers
Those critical of Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners funding their election campaigns by way of huge contributions from utilities might also find it objectionable to learn those same utilities hold “Happy Hour” events with staffers at the Corporation Commission. While such social-gatherings at some Oklahoma City bars and restaurants are not against any law, they might …
Chevron promotes Permian Basin with its own news site
Oil giant Chevron reporting the news? Well, sort of. The oil industry is now running its own local news website for the Permian Basin. Called Permian Proud, it provides local news coverage in the region. Definitely not in the strictest sense of news—rather more in a public relations vein. Floodlight says it’s no longer a start-up …
Pipeline operators score court win against Biden administration
Some of the new natural gas pipeline safety standards implemented by the Biden administration have been thrown out by a U.S. appeals court. And the ruling no doubt will have an impact in favor of Oklahoma pipeline operators. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled in favor of a …
Energy briefs
** According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, developers and power plant owners added 20.2 gigawatts (GW) of utility-scale electric generating capacity in the United States during the first half of 2024. This new capacity is 3.6 GW (21%) more than the capacity added during the first six months of 2023. ** A pipeline worker who …
Landowners ready to challenge Iowa carbon dioxide pipeline
Sounds like a legal fight will be needed to settle a recent decision by the Iowa Utilities Commission to approve a large carbon dioxide pipeline project by Summit Carbon Solutions. The Commission had a deadline to answer appeals filed by conservation groups and landowners, in addition to counties and lawmakers and didn’t do it. …
Arkansas solar plant to provide power for 3 GM car plants
General Motors is making a big move toward solar power and it’s good news for an Arkansas-based solar power plant. The car and truck manufacturer announced a 15-year renewable energy purchase to supply three U.S. assembly plants, including the Wentzville Assembly plant in Missouri. The Detroit News reported the purchase is from NorthStar …
Gov. Newsom now wants to avoid gas shortages
The most recent oil and gas announcement from Califoria Gov. Gavin Newsom just raises a lot of eyebrows. A plan to avoid gas shortages. Coming from a political leader who dislikes oil and gas and carries the ball at every opportunity to end oil and gas operations in his state, Gov. Newsom now wants …
Northwest New Mexico coal plant to be demolished this week
After burning coal and producing electricity in northwest New Mexico since the early 1970s, the former Public Service Company of New Mexico power plant near Farmington will be soon coming down. Demolition is scheduled for Aug. 24 as the plant, decommissioned in 2022, will be brought to the ground. But cleanup of the entire …
Williams Cos says “goodbye coal”
The headline declares “Goodbye coal.” It’s in the latest Williams Cos. newsletter and it’s about how natural gas is powering America and reducing emissions. Williams calls it “quite the American success story,” how replacing coal-fired power generation with natural gas has lowered emissions and reduced energy costs. Here’s the story from the Willilams newsletter: …