** U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy signs an order seeking to roll back fuel economy standards enacted by President Biden, arguing that “artificially high” fuel efficiency rules raise costs for consumers. ** Vermont is the latest state to impose a fee on owners of electric vehicles to make up for lost gas tax revenue, an approach that has …
Category: Wind Energy
ODOT’s EV charging network on hold after Trump’s freeze order
A freeze on federal grants and loans ordered by President Donald Trump’s budget office has Oklahoma leaders wondering about the impact. So has an earlier order affecting green energy project funding created by the Biden administration. Electric vehicle charging networks could be affected and some states aren’t sure if they will receive continued funding …
Eminent domain bans draw support in North and South Dakota
We’ve reported how several eminent domain bills have been introduced in the Oklahoma legislature which convenes its 2025 session next week. Legislators will trail two other states where eminent domain for development of energy projects drew opposition. The South Dakota House passed a bill 49-19 to ban the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines, …
NextEra pulled in nearly $7 billion in net income in 2024
One of the big renewable energy operators in Oklahoma, NextEra Energy Inc. had more than $1 billion in earnings in 2024. The company reported net income of $1.203 billion or 58 cents a share. While the earnings seemed to be huge, they were also less than the $1.210 billion or 59 cents a share …
Energy briefs
** Big Oil begins reporting fourth-quarter results this week, and outlooks for the coming year should reflect the dissonance between Trump’s oil and gas-maximizing agenda and investor expectations. The industry has pushed in recent years to drive down costs and increase production by using more efficient technology rather than drilling many new wells. ** Workers …
Burgum’s Interior Department pauses renewable energy projects on public lands
No new wind and solar projects on public lands and waters. It’s the effect of a quietly issued order Monday by the Trump administration’s Interior Department now under control of former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. The order issued Monday blocks projects for renewable energy projects on federally-owned lands or offshore. The Hill reported …
Nation’s windfarm projects on hold?
The impact of the President’s executive order halting permits and leases for wind projects? One published report suggests half of the projects under way in the U.S. are likely to be affected. One official, in an interview with HeatMap Plus, made the estimate. Click here for HeatMap Plus
Energy briefs
** The oil industry says Trump’s executive orders lifting drilling restrictions in parts of Alaska are unlikely to spur new oil and gas development because companies are focused on more accessible areas. ** U.S. tech giants criticized Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement eight years ago, but have remained silent this time around. ** In an announcement that thrilled …
New solar plants expected to support most U.S. electric generation growth
While there appears to be growing opposition to solar farms in Oklahoma, a new government forecast says the nation will likely seen strong growth of the solar projects in the next two years. In a nutshell, it believes there will be strong solar growth, accelerated coal retirements, and a decline in the use of …
Muskogee the site of a “Stop the Green” protest
The recent “Stop the Green” protest rally held at the State Capitol was only one of a growing number of such protests by those opposed to the growth of wind farms and solar projects in the state. One upcoming event is planned in Muskogee entitled “No Industrial Wind/Solar/Lithium in Muskogee County.” Supporters call it …