While temperatures soared to 107 degrees in parts of New Mexico on Monday, the state’s major utility indicated it did not anticipate brownouts even after the firm closed its main coal-fired power plant near Farmington. Public Service Co. of New Mexico credits the ability to avoid brownouts after the shutdown of its San Juan …
ONEOK pipeline subject of federal lawsuit by environmental groups
ONEOK is facing a legal challenge over its pipeline project designed to carry large amounts of methane gas from West Texas to Mexico. Critics say it will be dangerous and government approval came after flawed analyses. The Sierra Club and Public Citizen announced they filed suit against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for its …
Critics claim record oil and gas production in Texas only adds to growing heat waves
Texas is pumping out so much oil and gas, it has reached record levels. It produced a record 5.7 million barrels a day of crude oil in May and also sold a record 32 billion cubic feet of gas. But, critics contend the oil and gas is adding to the country’s hottest summer on …
Federal judge orders BNSF to pay $400 million to tribe over oil tankers
Forth Worth-based BNSF Railway just got hit by a $400 million court order in Washington state for trespassing on Native American lands with transported crude oil. U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik issued his ruling Monday after finding the railway company intentionally trespassed when it ran 100-car trains across the tribe’s reservation. The tribe …
Rate hikes and campaign money—hot topic on Mitchell Talks Energy
If it’s Tuesday, then it’s time to talk about Oklahoma’s primary election and the decision by voters who to pick to be their Republican candidate for Corporation Commission. Three are running for the nod and it was a prime source of discussion on Scott Mitchell Talks Energy with Jerry Bohnen. Click below for their discussion …
US Sen. Mullin and state house speaker to tour the state
U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin will be joined by Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall in the coming week to hold a statewide tour. The two plan four stops on a tour titled “State and Federal Partnership Series; ‘Serving Oklahoma 101.’ These panel-style conversations will include a series of informative discussions regarding the role of state …
Crude oil prices gained nearly $2 on Monday
Monday brought a nearly $2 a barrel gain for crude oil prices as they rose to nearly their highest levels in more than a month. It was simply the result of more optimism in oil on the part of investors. But their optimism did’t carry over to natural gas. West Texas Intermediate crude, the US …
Primary election to decide GOP nomination for Corporation Commission
Oklahoma’s primary election day on Tuesday pits three men in the race for the Republican nomination for Oklahoma Corporation Commission. The winner of the only statewide race in the Tuesday election will compete against a lone Democrat and a Libertarian in the general election because they face no primary competition. However, a runoff in …
AARP won’t oppose OGE rate hike settlement but still thinks it’s unfair
AARP Oklahoma came out with a statement Monday explaining its stance of non-opposition to the $126.6 million rate hike made by Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. before Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners. However, State Director Sean Voskuhl made it quite clear, he was not happy with the request agreed to by the utility and 9 other …
Mid-July hearing on next step in lawsuit challenging Oklahoma’s Energy Act
The Oklahoma County District Court judge who temporarily suspended enforcement of Oklahoma’s Energy Discrimination Elimination Act has set a hearing for mid-July on a request for a possible conclusion of the lawsuit that led to her suspension. District Judge Sheila Stinson set a a hearing for July 19 on the request by Don Keenan, …
