Regulators allow Universal Service Fund expansion

Oklahoma regulators have announced they are allowing schools, libraries and health care facilities receiving funding from the Oklahoma Universal Service Fund to temporarily increase bandwidth for their broadband service. Brandy Wreath, administrator of the OUSF maintained by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission made the announcement on Tuesday. He said those eligible facilities who receive the funding …

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Solar industry asks congress for help amidst pandemic

More than 500 solar companies are asking Congress for help as the coronavirus takes a toll on their industry. “We are also faced with a reality we can’t ignore: the solar industry could lose up to half its workforce as a director result of COVID-19,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar …

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Schlumberger makes 30% budget cut—warns layoffs are coming

The budget cuts are leading to plans by Schlumberger, the largest oilfield service company in the world and with major operations in Oklahoma to coming layoffs. The company announced it will slash up to 30 percent from its budget as oil activity takes a major hit from the oil price war and the effects of …

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Energy news in brief

** PG&E agrees to plead guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with 2018’s Camp Fire, the deadliest in California’s history. ** Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) called on lawmakers Friday to approve checks of about $1,300 for residents to help offset the economic impacts of the novel coronavirus, using the state’s oil wealth fund. ** A …

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Companies slash $1.9 billion in pipeline efforts in Permian Basin

About 10 days after Tulsa’s ONEOK cut its pipeline operations by $500 million, more companies are doing the same in the Permian Basin. ONEOK’s budget cut, combined with others totals an estimated $1.9 billion. This week,Houston offshore oil company Talos Energy also pledged to cut $170 million from its budget. Noble Midstream Partners, Rattler Midstream, …

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Nearly 20 earthquakes rattle Oklahoma in 3 days, geologists say

  Earthquakes have been recorded throughout Oklahoma in the past few days with at least seven occurring in less than 24 hours. But nearly 20 were recorded since the weekend. The strongest measured 2.5 in Pittsburg County on Monday, March 23  and 2.6 in Dewey County, according to the Oklahoma Geological Society.  Close to 20 …

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Super cheap gasoline in Oklahoma—$1.03 at one OKC site

Gasoline prices in Oklahoma are down to a statewide average of $1.70 while nationally, 29 states have averages under $2 a gallon. One Oklahoma City station is pumping gas for $1.03 a gallon. AAA Oklahoma reports the U.S. average is now $2.11 while the Oklahoma average of $1.70 compares to $1.90 a week ago and …

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Ransomware hackers threaten Missouri power provider

  Ransomware hackers have struck not only a healthcare provider associated with the British government but also a vendor supplying an Ameren Missouri power plant. One report suggested that the hackers stole two decades worth of files from the vendor whose business list includes Ameren Corp. which is Missouri’s largest utility. Although no data related …

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Congressman Cole rips Pelosi over “left wing”coronavirus bill attempts

Those renewable energy add-ons by the Democrats in the latest coronavirus relief measure on Capitol Hill angered Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole who accused Speaker Nancy Pelosi of using the crisis to advance a far-left ideological agenda. In a statement, the Republican congressman said the 1,100-page partisan, left-wing bill has “nothing to do with the spreading …

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Remote work rules advised by Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Oklahoma regulators have launched efforts to do their legal business by remote means, such as Internet.  The Corporation Commission released steps to be taken by those energy firms and others who need to do filings and other work at the now-closed Jim Thorpe building in Oklahoma City and the commission’s offices in Tulsa. Ways to …

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