(Kathryn Scott, Special to The Colorado Sun) Just like Oklahoma regulators, those in Colorado are dealing with the boom in the construction of data centers, a boom that will create a demand for more electricity to power those operations. One of the latest proposals to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission is Xcel Energy’s idea …
Arkansas utililty rates could rise over construction of natural gas plants
A new law in Arkansas opens the door for higher electric rates as the state’s two largest utilities propose “strategic investments” including new gas-fired power plants. Entergy Arkansas, the largest electric utility in Arkansas, has filed application to build a 754-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant, which it hopes to finance with a rate increase …
Energy briefs
** One of the largest solar-and-storage power generating facilities in the U.S. has come online in Southern California, immediately providing 7% of all of L.A.’s power needs, the Los Angeles Times reported. With the plant’s opening, 64% of the city’s power now comes from renewable sources. ** A U.S. district judge on Friday denied the latest …
Data center proposed in Yukon
Oklahoma might be home to still another data center. The Yukon City Council voted recently to sell 184.5 acres of city-owned land for $15.8 million to BLE Holdings, LLC of Atlanta, Georgia which intends to make a $1 billion investment for a 0.5-gigawatt data center. The site is near Highway 66 and Frisco …
Empire Petroleum secures unanimous victory to advance CO₂ development and protect EMSU assets
The New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission has given unanimous and favorable approval of Empire Petroleum’s request for rights to the Residual Oil Zone in the Eunic Monument South Unit Unitized INterval in Lea County, New Mexico. After four years of expenditures, Empire, the Tulsa company, received the Commission’s unanimous decision at a public hearing …
Comparing Trump’s energy moves compared to Biden’s
On day one of his term in the White House, President Biden wasted no time in attacking the fossil fuel industry in the U.S. He did so by canceling the Keystone XL pipeline. He also issued a moratorium on oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife refuge and revoked many of …
Proposed wind farm on state school land opposed by Woodward County Commissioners
A proposal by the Oklahoma Commissioners of Land to consider allowing a wind turbine farm on state-owned land could run into a buzz saw come Monday morning. Woodward County Commissioners are so much against the idea, they cancelled their regular Monday meeting and intend to be on hand when the Land Commission takes …
Williams awaits New York’s pipeline decision
Environmentalists in New York remain angry over the possibility that Gov. Kathy Hochul will approve the request of Williams Cos. to construct a natural gas pipeline into the state. The public comment period ended over the weekend and now Williams awaits a decision from the Governor and her environmental leaders. Still, activists aren’t …
Energy briefs
** Major data center developer and operator Equinix has entered into several advanced nuclear electricity deals, including power purchase agreements for fission energy and pre-ordering microreactors for its operations, the company said on Thursday. ** Arizona regulators vote to repeal rules requiring utilities to obtain 15% of their electricity from renewable sources, drawing fire from …
Price increases in electricity are a consequence of multiple causes
By Mike W. Ray Southwest Ledger The dramatic price increases in electricity across the country can be blamed on multiple factors. One reason is the cost of natural gas. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that the average natural gas price for electrical generation in the United States in August 2024 was …