After nearly 20 years in the planning, the $11 billion SunZia transmission line meant to carry wind and solar power from New Mexico through Arizona and to California is close at hand. Transmission towers are still being constructed. But it doesn’t mean the large project is not facing opposition. Click here for WBUR
Government gives away $45 million to study EV battery recycling
Days ahead of the Presidential election, the Biden-Harris Administration handed out another $45 million in green energy funds. The latest handout totaled $44.8 million for development of how to dispose of electric vehicle batteries—the ones that have caused nasty car fires and created challenges for firefighters. The money went to eight projects the government …
Oklahoma drought committee moves to help state farmers—ahead of weekend rains
As weekend rains accumulated, perhaps easing Oklahoma’s drought, the Emergency Drought Committee recently approved a new program to deliver critical drought relief for Oklahoma agricultural producers. The application period opens on Nov. 12 and will remain open through Jan. 31, 2025. Applications will be available at local conservation districts and on the Oklahoma Conservation …
Crude oil prices jump up on word of possible end to some Middle East fighting
The prospects of an end to some of the fighting in the Middle East sent crude oil prices up by more than 2% on Thursday. West Texas Intermediate crude rose $1.80 a barrel or 2.62% to close at $70.41 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude gained 61 cents or 0.84% and closed …
Attorney General shuts down Corporation Commissioner’s own probe of allegations against Todd Hiett
A legal opinion issued this week by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond slammed the door closed on an investigation by Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony into the drinking and sexual abuse allegations against fellow commissioner Todd Hiett. In an opinion sought by Commissioner Chair Kim David on Aug. 27 and handed down on Wednesday, Drummond …
ONEOK finishes nearly $3 billion acquisition of more pipeline in the Permian Basin
ONEOK, Inc. announced it completed its $2.6 billion acquisition of Medallion Midstream from Global Infrastructure Partners, a move that increased the Tulsa company’s extensive pipeline system in the oil and gas industry. The acquisition of Medallion includes more than 1,200 miles of crude oil gathering pipelines providing approximately 1.3 million barrels per day of …
State regulators couldn’t agree on an OGE rate hike request—delayed their vote
Even as three state legislators attempt to block Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett from voting on rate cases for OGE, ONG and PSO, Hiett was prepared Wednesday to cast a vote on a $127 million rate hike for Oklahoma Gas and Electric. But it didn’t happen because of a difference of opinion with Commission …
Energy briefs
** Ford plans to idle a Detroit-area electric truck plant for weeks as it contends with softer-than-expected EV sales. ** Occidental Petroleum nears completion of a direct-air carbon capture facility in Texas that would be the first large-scale facility to remove carbon dioxide directly from the air; the company plans to build dozens more. ** The U.S. Department …
Enel Green Power applauds SPP’s $8 billion transmission line improvements
This week’s decision by the Southwest Power Pool to approve nearly $8 billion in transmission line projects has the support of renewable energy Enel Green. Stephen Pike, head of Enel Green Power North America, one of the largest wind operators in the 14-state grid, including Oklahoma, that makes up the SPP, applauded the …
Project underway to get more oil production in Wyoming
An $80 million project is underway in Wyoming in an attempt to get more oil out of the rocks where the black gold rests. The $40 million put up by ThermoFisher Scientific was matched with another $40 million from the Wyoming legislature, all with hopes of turning the state’s oil patch into a …