Public Service Company of Oklahoma won approval this week from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to increase its base rate by tens of millions of dollars to customers. It’s still unclear how much of an increase it will mean for those customers. PSO originally filed a $156 million rate hike request last year, stating it needed …
Old Tire Collections Result in Environmental Award for Norman
An emphasis on the collection of old tires has led to the City of Norman being honored by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and Keep Oklahoma Beautiful as a “Clean Community.” As reported by the Norman Transcript, the two agencies made the decision based on Norman’s involvement in tire collection events. Norman got the …
ConocoPhillips Reports 7.5 percent Increase in Fourth Quarter Dividends But a Net Loss in 2017 Earnings
ConocoPhillips, the Houston company with major operations in Oklahoma reported a 7.5 percent increase in its 2017 fourth quarter dividends . Earnings for the fourth quarter totaled $1.6 billion or $1.32 per share. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the company reported a net loss of $35 million or $0.03 per share. For the full-year …
Deadly Rig Blast Happened as Crew Was Pulling Pipe to Change Drill Bit
Investigators looking into the January 24 drilling rig explosion that killed 5 men near Quinton, Oklahoma say workers were in the process of changing the drill bit when the blast happened. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board reported this week in its website the new information found by its investigators. ” At the time of the …
Corporation Commissioner Says Government Reform Has to Begin With “Honesty”
Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony takes issue with Step Up Oklahoma and its call for Commissioners to be appointed by the governor and not chosen by voters. In an editorial this week, the long-time commissioner reminded the group of civic and business leaders their ideas are not new and they were first raised 30 years …
New Monthly Report Shows Economy “Healthy” for Oklahoma and Other Midwestern States
The monthly report on the economies of Oklahoma and 8 other states in the Midwest and Plains indicated a slight dip for January. But Creighton University economist professor Ernie Goss still says it’s healthy for the region. “It’s a good report. Looking ahead 3 to 6 months, there’s good growth out there,” said Goss. The …
Fight Between City of Mustang and Citizen Energy of Tulsa Heads to State Appeals Court
A Tulsa oil and gas company is appealing a Canadian County judge’s ruling blocking the firm from moving ahead with drilling activities in the city limits of Mustang. Citizen Energy disagrees with District Judge Paul Hesse who granted a temporary injunction in the oil company’s fight with the city over requirements. In its appeal filed …
Video Shows Moving of Giant Railroad Spans in OKC
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation outdid itself in producing a fast-paced video of the movement of those giant railroad spans that are part of the I-235 construction project in Oklahoma City. While crowds had to wait hours last weekend to watch the slow movement of the spans, the DOT created a time-lapse video of the …
Oklahoma Congressmen Escape Serious Injuries in Amtrak Crash in Virginia
Oklahoma congressmen who were aboard an Amtrak train when it crashed into a garbage truck near Charlottesville, Virginia on Wednesday escaped serious injury. The driver of the truck died later from his injuries despite the efforts of congressmen who are also medical professionals. Sen. James Lankford and Representatives Tom Cole, Steve Russell and Frank Lucas …
Selling What Oklahoma Offers for Potential Businesses
What’s there not to like about jet-powered drone-maker Kratos Defense moving operations to Oklahoma? In an editorial on Jan. 31, the Oklahoman writers said they “look forward to a day when the state’s workforce is such that the arrival of high-tech companies becomes the norm.” The writers noted that Congressman Steve Russell, who had early …