Federal Energy Regulatory Commission member Norman Bay has only a few days before his resignation is effective. He announced he would resign Feb. 3 after President Donald trump demoted him from being chairman and named Cheryl LaFleur to be an acting chair. His departure will leave just two members after that date. It also means …
Among the more than 2,000 bills filed for the 2017 session of the Oklahoma legislature is HB 1401, a measure by Rep. John Michael Montgomery to end the state’s reliance on income tax and energy sector taxes. “As I talk with constituents and fellow Oklahomans, it is clear that they want a long-term vision and …
Oklahoma U.S. Sen. James Lankford says it could be nearly two more weeks before Attorney General Scott Pruitt is confirmed to be the new Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. It’s what he said in an interview with OK Energy Today and he blamed the stall tactics of Democrats in the Senate. “This will …
Then there’s the opinion of former network broadcaster Tom Brokaw about President Donald Trump’s skeptical view of climate change. He thinks Trump’s views will eventually change and he will become a believer in climate change. Brokaw, formerly of NBC TV is promoting his latest Discovery Channel documentary, “Rancher, Farmer, Fisherman.” It’s about a group …
With Republicans in Congress meeting in Philadelphia, the confirmations of Ryan Zinke to be Secretary of the Interior and of former Texas Governor Rick Perry to be Secretary of Energy won’t be handled until next week. Those confirmation recommendations will have to first be made by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Zinke …
Three Oklahomans took part this week in a Democratic-sponsored panel in Washington, D.C. against the nomination of Attorney General Scott Pruitt to become the new Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Casey Camp-Hornek, a Ponca Tribal councilwoman, Native rights activist and environmentalist argued Pruitt should not be confirmed. “We are terrified at the idea of …
A $92.5 million rate hike requested by OGE from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission is being fought by the AARP. The organization, under the leadership of State Director Sean Voskuhl has launched a media campaign and even bought time on radio to fight the request. “We feel like it’s unjustified, that amount, and also adding …
Former Oklahoma Secretary of the Environment J.D. Strong said it before a U.S. Senate Committee and continues to say it. He thinks Attorney General Scott Pruitt is the right man to take over the Environmental Protection Agency. Now the head of the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Department, Strong was interviewed by WNYC, a pair of non-profit …
Two bills filed with the Oklahoma Legislature would put an end to interim rates for regulated utilities during lengthy rate cases, according to a report in The Oklahoman. Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has authored Senate Bill 282 while Rep. Pat Ownbey, R-Ardmore, submitted House Bill 1891. Both bills aim to stop interim rates if …
Among those excited about President Trump’s decision this week to reverse President Obama’s moves to block the Keystone XL pipeline and stop further construction of the Dakota Access pipeline is Harold Hamm. The chairman of Continental Resources based in Oklahoma City and one-time energy adviser to Trump during his 2016 run for the White House …