An Oklahoma bill providing a tax rebate for economically at-risk oil and gas wells received final passage in the Senate on Wednesday. Senate Bill 1577, co-authored by Senate Pro Tempore Brian Bingman and House Speaker Jeff Hickman, was originally filed on May 2 in order to slash a tax rebate program that was originally created …
Inhofe Cites Proof Feds are using WOTUS for Overreach
Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe says he and his supporters are still fighting the “overreach” of the federal government, especially when it comes to the Waters of the U.S. Rule that is on hold in the federal courts. “I have heard concerns that the Corps and EPA are continuing to expand federal control over land …
Railroad Improvement Tax Credit Trimmed by New Law in Oklahoma
One of the 14 bills signed into law Tuesday by Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin focuses on limiting tax credits for railroad rehabilitation and improvements in the state. She signed House Bill 3204 into law making it immediately effective. The bill cuts the tax credit by 25 percent Authors were Representatives Earl Sears and Dennis Casey …
Aeronautics Commission Renews Aerospace Contract
(From the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission) While the state legislature is deciding final agency budgets this week at the Oklahoma Capitol, a high-level meeting at the entity for all things aeronautics was buzzing with activity as well. Most of the general public and even some state and federal lawmakers are unaware of a hidden armament tucked …
Federal Judge Turns Aside EPA’s Challenge to WOTUS Fight
Months after he issued a ruling that put the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the U.S. Rule on hold, the same North Dakota federal judge ruled this week against a challenge made by the EPA. U.S. District Judge Ralph E. Erickson ruled Tuesday against the claims of the EPA to dismiss the challenges to …
House Approves Move to Defund WOTUS Rule
In a voice vote Tuesday night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a new energy bill that moves to defund the Environmental Protection Agency’s controversial Waters of the U.S. Rule. The defunding is part of a $37.4 billion bill to fund the Department of Energy and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and several energy …
Another Pig Poop to Electricity Deal’s Announced
Updating a story we recently told you about concerning electricity from “pig poop,” Duke Energy Corp. in North Carolina has signed another deal to create electricity from the pig waste. Considered the nation’s largest electric company, Duke Energy said the deal is to collect methane gas from the animal waste and convert it into fuel …
Doak Highlights Concern Over Earthquake Insurance Competition, Rate Increases
Commissioner John Doak is increasingly alarmed about competition within the earthquake insurance market as data revealed that four companies hold 55 percent of this market, according to an Oklahoma Insurance Department press release. At a public meeting held on Tuesday, Commissioner Doak heard that insurers collected more than $76 million in earthquake insurance premiums while …
Communities Battle Energy Companies Over Mangled Roads
It isn’t smooth sailing where the rubber meets the road when driving in northern Oklahoma near the entrance to Lake McMurtry. In fact, there have been quite a number of bumps in the road near Perry along State Highway 86. The same holds true for County Road 58 up in Noble County as well as …
$9 billion Debt Forces Chesapeake to Make a 2nd Swap of $166 million in Shares
Oklahoma City’s financially challenged Chesapeake Energy Corp. has agreed to another deal to exchange its outstanding shares in exchange for debt, according to documents on file with the Securities Exchange Commission. The move is yet another effort as the company wrestles with billions in debt. The filing, made Monday indicated the amount involved about 5 …