Oklahoma saw no letup Wednesday in the wildfire dangers as some evacuations were ordered early in the day as winds gusted to 65 miles an hour or greater fueling fires that remained out of control. Much of the state remained under a Red Flag warning. Evacuation orders had been issued early Wednesday for …
Investigation leads to violations at Muskogee Bit-coin operation
An investigation by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality found several violations at the Muskogee Bitcoin-Bifrost Substation and Miners operation. The probe came as a result of a complaint filed by a resident of Muskogee. The DEQ indicated it discovered 10 violations. Click here for KTUL Channel 8 news
Southwest Power Pool to need billions to meet growth demands
A new report suggests the Southwest Power Pool, the one that Oklahoma belongs to, might need more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in investments to meet load growth through the next 25 years. The Brattle Group reached the conclusion in a report presented to stakeholders, reported Utility Dive. Click here for Utility …
New Mexico legislators prepare to vote on raising royalty rates in Permian Basin
New Mexico’s state House might vote this week on a bill designed to raise drilling rates on state-managed land in the state’s Permian Basin where some Oklahoma energy firms are active. A House committee recently voted 9-8 in support of the bill that would primarily affect the rates charged in Eddy and Lea counties, …
Energy briefs
** APA Corp. cut about 300 employees globally as it becomes the latest oil producer to reduce costs by eliminating jobs. The company formerly known as Apache made the reductions in January and late February, APA said in an emailed response to questions. It amounts to between 10% and 15% of the company’s workforce of …
Russian peace talks sent crude prices falling
Russia’s agreement of President Trump’s proposal for Russia and Ukraine to stop attack each other’s energy infrastructure for a month sent crude oil prices falling on Tuesday. Prices dropped about 1% as President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed ways to end the three-year old war in Ukraine. West Texas Intermediate crude, the …
Oklahoma regulators to meet Wednesday
Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners plan to meet for a regular session on Wednesday. The agenda includes the daily signing docket and consideration and possible votes on potential orders in cases on the 24-hour signing agenda docket. A briefing will be given on recent Transportation Division aactivity for motor carrier enforcement, ports of entry and weigh …
Natural gas-fired electricity generation during Texas cold snap just shy of record high
The Feb. 19-22 cold snap that hit the Midwest resulted in near-record highs for hourly and daily generation of electricity by natural-fired plants in Texas. The U.S. Energy Information Administration found that in February, the high demand for electricity increased while electricity generated by wind and solar projects fell. Electricity demand in Texas …
Louisiana opponents fight carbon capture sequestration
Oklahoma isn’t alone in finding opposition to carbon capture projects. This week, opponents stood their ground in Louisiana and voiced concerns at an informational seminar on Carbon Capture Sequestration projects. Click here for KALB news
Carbon capture bill wins Oklahoma Senate approval
( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle )The Oklahoma Senate voted Monday in support of a bill to create carbon sequestration or storage in the state, sending SB269 to the House on a 27-18 vote. But the measure has its opponents, some who called it “selling out for money.” Known as the Oklahoma Carbon …