The growth of data centers and AI across the U.S. will result in their increased demand for electricity in the next few years and the Department of Energy predicts it will triple by 2028. It also claims renewable energy will be able to meet the demand. Demand already tripled in the past decade …
Norman Senator files bill for more transparency in Turnpike Authority projects
The recent increase in turnpike tolls in Oklahoma prompted Norman Sen. Lisa Standridge to file a bill to give the legislature more say in such decisions. Her Senate Bill 80, according to a release by the Senator, would increase transparency and public involvement in the Turnpike Authority’s projects. The proposed bill would establish clear …
Energy briefs
** Environmental groups file a lawsuit accusing California regulators of failing to assess or alleviate potential environmental impacts of increased biofuel use expected under updates to the state’s low-carbon fuel standard. ** For the first time in U.S. history, wind and solar generated more electricity than coal during the first 11 months of 2024, according to data from a …
Crude oil saw slight gains on Friday
The gains made by crude oil prices on Friday were small enough to declare that they held steady in trading. Oklahoma energy stocks took advantage to record gains. Analysts explained Chinese demand and interest rate-cut expectations played a role, according to Reuters, as day information that showed U.S. inflation was cooling. West Texas Intermediate …
No change in Oklahoma’s rig numbers
Oklahoma’s oil and gas rig activity held steady in the past week with a count of 43 rigs, unchanged from the previous reporting period by Baker Hughes. It compared to Texas where the count grew by one to 285 rigs. New Mexico fell one to 103 and North Dakota held at 35 rigs. Louisiana …
Judge orders Enel Green to remove Osage County wind farm
Not only did a Tulsa federal judge rule this week that Enel Green Power has to remove 84 wind towers it installed years ago on Osage land in northeast Oklahoma, the firm and two of its subsidiaries owe more than $36 million in attorney fees. This is the case where the Osage Minerals Council …
Crude prices affected by interest rate cut and inflation
This week’s decision by the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates combined with cautionary beliefs about weak economic activity and how it could hurt oil demands in the coming year sent crude oil prices slipping Thursday. One of those comments came from Chair Jerome Powell who warned Wednesday inflation was stubborn. Reuters reported …
Corporation Commissioners wrestle with franchise fee court decision
A month after the Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s 2022 decision to prohibit winter securitization utilities from collecting tens of millions of dollars in franchise fees with municipalities was overturned by the state supreme court, the regulators got an earful this week about whether to dismiss the case still on the OCC books. Groups involved in …
Midship Pipeline donates to Oklahoma American Legion
Midship Pipeline announced an $80,000 donation to the American Legion Department of Oklahoma. Local American Legion posts in the eight counties where the pipeline operates will each receive $10,000 to meet critical needs as the American Legion lives out its mission and advocates for every generation of veterans, service members and their …
Manufacturing saw a December drop in Federal Bank’s Tenth District
The latest Manufacturing Survey taken by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City showed manufacturing activity declined in December in Oklahoma and the other states that make up the Tenth District of the bank. According to Megan Williams, associate economist and survey manager, the decline was modest. “Regional factory activity fell slightly this …








