A water access controversy in the state of New Mexico has resulted in political games as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, without explanation, kicked a member off the New Mexico Game Commission. The Albuquerque Journal reports Jeremy Vesbach didn’t get a reason for his sudden removal but explained his positions on stream access and hunting …
Friday’s other energy headlines
** The abrupt exits of Cecilia Martinez and David Kieve from the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality within days of each other have sparked alarm among environmental justice experts, who had already been frustrated by what they see as the administration’s lack of progress in fulfilling Biden’s promises to fix historic environmental and economic …
Biden weighing cuts to 2022 ethanol blending mandate proposal
Refineries fighting mandated ethanol blending levels might have some good news according to one report that suggests the Biden administration is considering lowering the 2022 levels below the 15 billion gallons. Reuters says the consideration comes amid backlash from the oil refining lobby and unions arguing the shrinking U.S. ethanol industry can no longer …
Illinois court vacates approval of Dakota Access pipeline capacity expansion
A decision by the Illinois Commerce Commission to expand operation of Energy Transfer’s Dakota Access oil pipeline was rejected this week by an Illinois appellate court. Energy Transfer wants to expand the capacity up to 1.1 million barrels a day from its current ability of 570,000 barrels a day. Click here for Reuters.
Energy costs soared in the U.S. in the past year
The country’s inflation rate just hit 7% and it means Oklahomans and others throughout the country are paying far more for their energy as well as food and housing. The latest Consumer Price Index report from the U.S. Department of Labor said all costs rose 7% for the 12 months ending December. It represented …
US crude settles above $82
A two-month high was hit by U.S. crude prices in Wednesday’s trading as West Texas Intermediate crude settled above the $82 level. It also sent up some Oklahoma energy stocks. WTI for February delivery went up $1.42 to $82.64 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for March delivery rose 95 …
EIA forecasts crude oil prices will fall in 2022 and 2023
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook, January 202 While oil prices are soaring and U.S. prices are above the $80 level, the federal government predicts they won’t hold throughout this year and next. The U.S. Energy Information Administration came out with a prediction on Wednesday that prices will fall from the 2021 levels. The prediction …
Biden Administration Takes Action on Toxic Coal Ash Waste
In a move that did not yet directly affect any coal ash facilities in Oklahoma due to coal-fired power plants, the Biden administration took what was considered a first significant move this week in addressing widespread problems with the toxic ash from others around the nation. The administration plans action on 9 of 57 …
Legislator who opposed winter storm rate hikes removed as Energy leader
A Kansas legislator was yanked as chairman of a House Energy Committee after sending a letter urging Kansas regulators delay utility rate increases over the February winter storm. The Kansas Reflector reported Rep. Joe Seiwert, a Republican from Pretty Prairie is no longer chairman. Click here for Kansas Reflector.
Wind turbine setbacks adopted by regulators in Hutchinson, Kansas
It took nearly a year and a half of debate before county regulators in Hutchinson, Kansas adopted new regulations on the development of commercial wind turbines in Reno County. The Hutchinson News reports the new regulations include a 2,000 foot setback for wind turbines from homes. Click here for Hutchinson News.