Coalition Challenges New Fracking Rules in Pennsylvania

Another group is challenging hydraulic fracturing operations. This time, the Marcellus Shale Coalition has filed suit over Pennsylvania’s new rules governing the fracking process. The Coalition contends parts of the Chapter 78(a) rules went beyond the scope of the State Department of Environmental Protection’s regulatory authority. They also claim the new rules that took effect …

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Bankrupt Chaparral Wins Extensions from Delaware Court

  Oklahoma City-based Chaparral Energy has won an extension of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan and now will have until January 2017 to finish seeking acceptances from lenders. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved the company’s request to extend the period through and including November 9, 2016 and January 9, 2017. The company filed Chapter 11 …

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Neese Named Co-Chair of Trump Small Business Advisory Council

Oklahoma City businesswoman Terry Neese has been named a co-chair of Donald Trump’s Small Business Advisory Council to assist with his presidential campaign. The council is meant to advise Trump on small business issues, including those affecting small energy-related companies whether it be in oil and gas or wind. Dr. Neese is founder of Terry …

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Senator Inhofe’s Energy Bills Included in Clinton Emails Released by WikiLeaks

His efforts over the years in energy measures before the U.S. Senate earned Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe in those controversial. Hillary Clinton emails released this month by WikiLeaks. A search of the Clinton emails on the WikiLeaks website showed Sen. Inhofe was mentioned 98 separate times. Some involved his stance in support of a South …

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Apex Promises Safe and Clean Wind Farm Following Lawsuit Victory in OKC Federal Court

Those opponents of the Apex Clean Energy wind farm near Kingfisher certainly had a different reaction from supporters after an Oklahoma City federal judge ruled against a lawsuit that wanted the operation shutdown. “We received the Court’s ruling and are pleased with the judgment being entered in favor of Kingfisher Wind,” said the company following …

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USGS Blames SandRidge for Largest Recorded Earthquake in Kansas

  Oklahoma City-based SandRidge Energy, the company that just emerged from bankruptcy is blamed in part for causing the largest recorded earthquake in Kansas history according to a report in the Wichita Eagle. The paper cites the U.S. Geological Survey which recently completed a study into the 2014 earthquake that registered 4.9 magnitude and had …

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Does Right to Farm Question Give Too Much Power to Farming?

It’s an issue that could affect energy aspects in Oklahoma—State Question 777, Right to Farm. Some contend that if passed into law, the measure would give too much protection to the farming industry. Supporters say that’s a great exaggeration. Either way, a News 9/News on  poll shows 49 percent of likely voters supporter the measure …

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Interim Director Named at Water Resources Board

After 22 years with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, Julie Cunningham was named this week as interim executive director, succeeding J.D. Strong who left to become the new Director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Cunningham had been the Water Board’s Chief of Planning and Management since 2008. She agency in 1994 as an …

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Samson Encounters Objections in Amended Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Tulsa-based Samson Resources has encountered some opposition from the U.S. Trustee in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case filed last year in the District of Delaware. At the same time, the Department of Interior is objecting too. The Interior Department told the judge in the case that Samson Resources corp. must pay $136.9 million and get the department’s …

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Four Texas Firms Fined $3.5 million for Criminal Clean Air Violations

A total of $3.5 million in fines for criminal clean air violations will be paid by four companies in eastern Texas. The violations occurred from 2008 until 2012 at two Southeast Texas oil and chemical processing facilities and involved one tank explosion that killed a worker. The companies entered guilty pleas in federal court. KTX …

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