Billionaire investor Carl Icahn, the man who controls nearly 66% of the shares in oil refiner CVR Energy with refineries in Oklahoma and Kansas, finally settled charges this week with U.S. regulators who accused him and his Icahn Enterprises LP of failing to reveal the majority of the firm’s securities for billions in personal …
Entergy reaches deal over millions in unpaid taxes in Arkansas
A legal settlement over Entergy’s unpaid Arkansas taxes totaling into the millions of dollars is to be considered by the state this week. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Arkansas Business report the settlement involves $19.7 million in unpaid tax bills from 2014 to 2018. The real total owed the state Department of Finance and Administration …
Democrats collect compost at their National Convention in Chicago
This week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago is a first. It marks the first such Democratic convention to collect compost! Grist, the online magazine reports it is an effort for Democrats and those who organized their national gathering to make sure they walk the talk about green energy and carbon offset programs. Click here for …
OCC staffers claim Happy Hour article is unfair
Our story this week about a utility’s “Happy Hour” invitation to some staff members of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission prompted a request from the Commission’s Communications Division. The division claimed in an email notice to OK Energy Today that General Administrator Brandy Wreath, who was one of those named on the invitation for …
Energy briefs
** APA Corp is exploring the sale of oil and gas drilling properties spread across parts of the Permian basin of Texas and New Mexico, in a deal that could be valued at about $1 billion, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. ** The United Auto Workers union said on Monday some local units …
Mitchell Talks Energy with Jerry Bohnen—the latest on the Todd Hiett scandal
The latest edition of Mitchell Talks Energy with Jerry Bohnen. Today, we focus again on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and the latest effort of the agency to conduct an investigation into the scandal surrounding Commissioner Todd Hiett.
OK energy stocks gained Monday on crude oil’s big drop
Crude oil prices plunged more than $2 a barrel on Monday but most Oklahoma energy stocks recorded gains for the day. What brought down crude prices? They fell as the chances increased for successful Middle Eastern peace talks, thereby perhaps stabilizing oil supplies. Also affecting the trading was economic weakness in China which could harm …
Sick jokes and hot weather in Oklahoma
How hot has it been in Oklahoma? State Climatologist Gary McManus put it this way in his Monday morning Oklahoma Mesonet report. “Ugh. It was so hot I saw a couple of fire hydrants fighting over a dog.” Or. “It was so hot yesterday I saw a funeral procession pull into Sonic at 2:30pm to …
Utilities hold “Happy Hour” events with Corporation Commission staffers
Those critical of Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners funding their election campaigns by way of huge contributions from utilities might also find it objectionable to learn those same utilities hold “Happy Hour” events with staffers at the Corporation Commission. While such social-gatherings at some Oklahoma City bars and restaurants are not against any law, they might …
Chevron promotes Permian Basin with its own news site
Oil giant Chevron reporting the news? Well, sort of. The oil industry is now running its own local news website for the Permian Basin. Called Permian Proud, it provides local news coverage in the region. Definitely not in the strictest sense of news—rather more in a public relations vein. Floodlight says it’s no longer a start-up …
