Layoffs at Interior Department Threaten Oklahoma Earthquake Monitoring Oklahoma’s ability to track and respond to earthquake activity could take a major hit as the U.S. Interior Department moves ahead with thousands of job cuts. Oklahoma’s Dependence on USGS Data For years, Oklahoma agencies—especially the Corporation Commission—have relied on the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for precise …
Category: General
Nuclear Furloughs Hit Pantex Plant as Shutdown Deepens
Nuclear Furloughs Hit Texas Plant, Stirring Concern Across Oklahoma The ongoing government shutdown has forced layoffs of 1,400 employees at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), including those at the Pantex nuclear weapons plant near Amarillo, Texas — a key site for the nation’s nuclear stockpile and a facility closely tied to Oklahoma’s energy and …
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 …
Stardust Power Secures Lithium Supply for Muskogee Refinery
Oklahoma’s Lithium Future Gains Momentum Stardust Power Inc., the lithium refinery developer in the process of building a refinery in Muskogee, announced this week the signing of an agreement to get some of its needed minerals from a Canadian supplier. Based in Greenwich, Connecticut, Stardust said it had executed a Letter of Intent with Prairie Lithium …
Colorado among states that sued over solar cancellations
Colorado Joins 23 States in Solar Grant Lawsuit At least 23 states, including Colorado, have filed suit against the Trump administration after it canceled $7 billion in nationwide solar grants meant to expand renewable energy access for low-income families. The funding, part of the “Solar for All” program, was designed to bring affordable clean energy …
AEP to Rebuild $260 Million Oklahoma Transmission Line
Aging Lines to Be Replaced with Modern Lattice Towers AEP’s Oklahoma rebuild replaces 40-year-old wooden poles with new BOLD lattice towers, each standing 110 to 165 feet high. Approximately 380 towers will be installed along the Lawton East Side to Sunnyside transmission corridor. AEP officials emphasized that the upgrade is not tied to a specific …
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 …
Oil prices dropped while natural gas shot up Monday
Oklahoma Energy Stocks See Strong Gains Despite Falling Oil Prices Oil prices dropped to their lowest settlement since early May on Monday, but Oklahoma’s energy sector showed strength across the board.While crude prices faltered, natural gas prices jumped more than 12%, and nearly every Oklahoma-based energy stock ended the day in positive territory. Investors are …
Regulators move ahead in nuclear energy study
Oklahoma regulators will continue their study this week of the possible development of nuclear energy in the state with a Tuesday afternoon technical conference. The Corporation Commission’s Public Utility Division will present the conference as commissioners meet at 1:30 p.m. It will be the only topic for the meeting, according to the agenda. …