Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt admits he is frustrated over the lack of action on possible development of the state’s newest proposed data center which would be on state-owned land near Lawton. “You’re supposed to lease them,” said the governor in response to an inquiry by Oklahoma Watch. “You put them out to bid, and …
Category: Wind Energy
Electricity—world’s largest energy employer
Electricity Sector Now Leads Global Energy Employment The growing emphasis and importance of electric utilities and the power they generate in Oklahoma mirrors a much broader global shift now unfolding across nearly every major economy in the world. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that the electricity sector is now the world’s largest energy employer, …
Natural gas to play major role in NextEra/Google deals
Natural Gas Plays Key Role in Power Strategy This week’s announcement of a major power agreement by NextEra Energy with Google, Meta, Exxon Mobil and other companies to build infrastructure for the AI boom involves several projects throughout the Midwest and even the Southwest Power Pool, the regional grid operator that includes Oklahoma. As details …
Energy briefs
** NextEra Energy plans to make improvements to the original design of an Iowa nuclear plant that closed in 2020 following damage from a major storm as it looks to restart the facility. ** A coalition of 143 solar companies and industry representatives call on Congress to override a Trump administration policy that they say …
SWEPCO customers fight 14% rate hike
SWEPCO Rate Hike Sparks Outrage at Arkansas Hearing Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO)—a utility that purchases a significant portion of its power from Oklahoma wind projects—now faces intense criticism from customers after the company attempted to raise electric rates by nearly 14%. Customers Blast SWEPCO’s Request at Public Hearing Ratepayers confronted SWEPCO officials during a …
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 …
Gov. Stitt’s NGA takes a stand on grid plans
Led by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, the National Governors Association came out this week with a statement regarding the nation’s grid and efforts to keep up with rapid AI growth, advanced manufacturing investments and rising freight and passenger movements. Stitt assumed the office of President in July. Governors from across the country have long recognized the …
Energy Brief: Trump Ends Fuel Rules, LNG Push Grows
U.S. POLICY • Trump Administration Ends Biden-Era Fuel Economy RulesPresident Trump rolled back fuel economy rules that he claims created an “EV mandate” after former President Joe Biden imposed stricter fuel economy standards last year. Trump said the administration was officially terminating Biden’s “ridiculous” CAFE rules, claiming car prices would come down in response to …
Hurricanes in 2024 caused most hours without power in 10 yrs
Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Annual 2024 Data values: Distribution System Reliability, Reliability metrics of U.S. distribution system U.S. electricity customers experienced an average of 11 hours of electricity interruptions in 2024, or nearly twice as many as the annual average experienced in the decade before, according to the EIA’s Electric Power Annual 2024 report. Major events …
Energy Brief: TSA ID Fee, Targa Deal and Exxon Hydrogen Exit
TSA Rolls Out $45 Identity Verification Option for Travelers The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that beginning February 1, 2026, any passenger who does not present an acceptable form of ID but still wants to fly will have the option to pay a $45 fee to complete identity confirmation through its modernized system, TSA Confirm.ID.Under …