Summer temperatures in May? It’s what we can expect Wednesday in Oklahoma. “Wednesday still looks like the hottest day, before we get a cool front in here and cool down for Thursday,” wrote Gary McManus, Oklahoma Mesonet Climatologist. Storms are also in the weekend forecast.
Iowa legislature sends bill to governor to restrict eminent domain
(a legislator hugs activist Kathy Stockdale–Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) After four years of intense debate and legislative fighting, a bill was passed this week by the Iowa legislature to pull the reins in on carbon sequestration pipelines and the ability of operators to use eminent domain. It could be another stumbling block …
Energy briefs
** Utility player NRG Energy will pay nearly $10 billion for 18 natural gas-fired power plants from LS Power in a move designed to prepare NRG for a domestic power market that’s set to soar. ** A bill to lift Illinois’ 40-year moratorium on new large nuclear energy plants has stalled recently as Senate lawmakers work …
Look for US electricity consumption to grow beyond 2024’s all-time high
A new government report says the amount of electricity used in the U.S. will grow this year and in 2026 and beat the all-time high reached in 2024. The prediction, made in the Short-Term Energy Outlook from the U.S .Energy Information Administration contrasts with the trend of relatively flat electricity demand between the mid-2000s …
Williams to create another gas pipeline extension in Virginia
The decision by Williams Companies to construct another pipeline expansion in Virginia has grabbed local headlines there. As explained by Williams President and CEO Alan Armstrong during the Tulsa-based company’s quarterly earnings call, the Transco line expansion will serve “the power-hungry Virginia market.” He referred to the growth of data centers throughout the …
Vital Energy releases 1Q earnings report with surprise earnings
Vital Energy’s first-quarter 2025 financial and operating results included a surprise as its $2.37 earnings per share beat the $2.11 per share estimate given by analysts. It beat the $1.91 in earnings per share the Tulsa company had a year ago. As a result, Vital’s earnings were up 12.32%. The firm reported a net loss …
Colorado Supreme Court says Boulder can sue oil companies over climate change
Boulder, Colorado’s lawsuit against two fossil fuel corporations over alleged local harms caused by climate change is being allowed to move ahead following a decision by the Colorado Supreme Court. By 5-2, the Supreme Court concluded federal law did not preclude the local governments from raising state-level claims of nuisance, trespass, unjust enrichment …
Senate failure on winter storm bill leaves author upset
The failure of the Oklahoma Senate to bring House Bill 1220 up for a full chamber vote before Thursday’s floor deadline disappointed Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman. “I’m deeply disappointed that Senate leadership didn’t see fit to bring this important bill up for a floor vote,” Standridge said. HB 1220 would protect utility ratepayers by …
GOP Representatives move to fund refilling of Petroleum Reserve
Republicans in the U.S. House have filed a bill to fund the refilling of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve which was drastically lowered in the Biden administration. The bill is named the Budget Reconciliation Bill and includes the funding to start the refilling of the SPR which was one of the key promises made by …
Crude prices made gains on Monday
Crude prices recorded gains on Monday after the U.S. and China trade talks gave strong suggestions of progress. Oklahoma energy stocks followed suit with several firms making 5% and 6% gains for the day. Investors feel optimistic that the world’s two largest crude users might be close to a resolution in their trade …