** Natural gas futures plummeted 11% in the U.S. as forecasts shifted warmer through the middle of next month, allaying concern about tight domestic supplies amid a global shortage of the heating fuel reports Bloomberg. ** Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and seven other House Democrats are urging the Justice Department to release American environmental lawyer …
$100 million investment in lithium operation made by Koch Industries
Wichita-based Koch Industries Inc. is putting $100 million behind a a lithium extraction operation. Koch Strategic Platforms, an investment arm of Koch Industries plans an investment in Canada-based Standard Lithium according to a report by the Wichita Business Journal. Click here for Wichita Business Journal.
Denver moves to ban natural gas by 2030
The city of Denver has taken another step toward becoming even greener in its rules and regulations on buildings. The City Council voted unanimously this week in support of an ordinance requiring large office and apartment buildings to use solar power and switch to electric and water heating systems by 2030 according to a …
500 Phillips 66 workers to lose their jobs over refinery conversion
Nearly 500 workers at Phillips 66’s Alliance refinery in Belle Chasse, Louisiana will be losing their jobs as the company plans to shut down the operation and convert it into an export terminal. The Houston Business Journal reports that 470 workers at the refinery, located about 25 miles south of New Orleans will begin …
Oklahoma Corporation Commission Meeting on Tuesday
Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners will hold a regular meeting Tuesday morning to first consider their daily signing agenda docket followed by the 24-hour signing agenda docket. They will also revisit Cause No. GD 202000001, Application of Tim Rhodes, Director of Administration, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, for an Order of the Commission Authorizing Action in Response to COVID-19, …
FAA Launches “12 Days of Drones” Holiday Safety Campaign
If you are considering buying a drone as a holiday gift, the Federal Aviation Administration wants you to understand how to fly it safely. The FAA is launching its 12 Days of Drones campaign to educate the public about the rules, regulations and best practices of operating a drone. This December, the agency will share …
Gov. Abbott Guarantees No Repeat of Texas Power Grid Failure
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is guaranteeing his citizens won’t have issues with maintaining power this winter, according to televised news reports in the Lone Star State. “I can guarantee the lights will stay on,” Abbott told FOX 7 in Austin during Thanksgiving week. “I signed almost a dozen laws that make the power grid more effective.” …
New Mexico regulators take earthquake prevention steps
The threat of more earthquakes in the Permian Basin in Southeast New Mexico prompted state regulators to take more prevention steps this week. The New Mexico Oil Conservation Division announced an increase in seismic monitoring as well as curbing some of the wastewater disposal operations—steps taken a few years ago by the Oklahoma Corporation …
Energy news headlines for Tuesday
** Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stressed in a new interview that families who buy electric vehicles (EVs) “never have to worry about gas prices again.” While speaking on MSNBC’s “The Sunday Show With Jonathan Capehart,” Buttigieg noted that Democrats’ proposed social spending package includes incentives to make it more affordable to buy an electric vehicle. ** North Dakota officials …
Kansas regulators raise questions about hedge fund operator
The Kansas Corporation Commission spent time this week asking some pointed questions about an international hedge fund connected to Evergy’s more than $10 billion electrical system plan. “Let’s be very clear our role here is not to benefit the shareholders. Our role here is to protect the ratepayer,” said one commissioner reported the Wichita Eagle. …