The Kansas-based Westar Energy just recently started using drones to inspect its power lines, manage emergency situations and review equipment. The Topeka Capital Journal reports the utility deployed drones commercially and is using them to inspect boilers and traveling challenging territory to get a bird’s eye view of transmission lines. “Its absolutely a cost savings at …
The Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota isn’t the only energy project hit with legal challenges. Houston-based Clean Line Energy Partners has run into opposition to build a power transmission line across part of Iowa so the company has withdrawn its application as it waits for a settlement in an Illinois court challenge. Clean Line …
No doubt about it. The top story in 2016 in North Dakota dealt with oil—-specifically the Dakota Access Pipeline and the protest by Native Americans from the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Their protest that started last spring attracted the attention of Hollywood celebrities and supporters from Oklahoma and numerous other states. The $3.8 billion pipeline …
Union Pacific Railway, hit by millions in fines and penalties from the Federal Railroad Administration for hundreds of potential safety violations has agreed to more thorough inspections and maintenance improvements following a fiery oil train derailment in Oregon. The Associated Press reports the agreement was a direct result of the early June derailment of 16 tank …
For nearly 8 years, President Obama and his Environmental Protection Agency have been the target of lawsuit after lawsuit as Oklahoma and other states accused the EPA over “overreach” with excessive rules and regulations. Now Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole is predicting many of those environmental rules and regulations will likely be wiped out within months …
It’s just a move to begin discussions of a possible sale. It’s how Rep. Leslie Osborn, R-Mustang, describes the bill she and Sen. Greg Treat, R-Edmond have introduced in the legislature targeting the Grand River Dam Authority. While some suggest it’s meant to sell the GRDA, Osborn told OK Energy Today it merely directs the …
Another move is being made in the state legislature to sell the Grand River Dam Authority. The charge is led by Sen. Greg Treat, R-Edmond and Rep. Leslie Osborn, R-Mustang. And some believe because of the committee positions held by Treat and Osborn, such a sale might stand a chance of winning legislative approval. Senator …
The year has proven to be one with the most civil penalties ever leveled in the 50-year history of the Federal Railroad Administration, breaking even last year’s record-breaking rate. The agency says it expects to collect 79 percent of the $15.75 million in civil penalties it issued to railroads, hazardous materials shippers and others …
As he nears the end of his freshman term in the U.S. House, U.S. 5th District Rep. Steve Russell is expressing concerns about the state of things in this nation, but at the same time optimistic about the reforms he’s bringing about through his Waste Watch reports on government spending. Interviewed recently by C-Span’s …
More earthquakes have been recorded in northern Oklahoma. The strongest in the past few days was 3.5 magnitude and happened last Friday night near Pawnee. The U.S. Geological Survey says it happened at 10:08 p.m., just 9 hours after an earlier 3.5 magnitude quake was recorded near Mooreland. The small northern city of …