by Mike Ray, Southwest Ledger The City of Lawton is investing perhaps $180 million or more to renovate its malfunctioning wastewater treatment plant. Phase I of the upgrade includes replacement of the administration building, influent pump station, grit removal system, trickling filter mechanisms, electrical conduit duct bank, electrical switchgear, automatic transfer switch for standby …
Norman Senator extends turnpike fight against ODOT director’s Senate nomination
The governor’s nomination of Tim Gatz to continue as the executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation didn’t get a unanimous support Tuesday in an Oklahoma Senate Committee. Norman Sen. Mary Boren was the lone vote against the nomination as the Senate Aeronautics and Transportation Committee voted 8-1 in support of Gatz. Boren …
Damage trial underway in Osage County and tribal wind farm fight
A Federal Judge who ordered wind energy company Enel Green to remove 84 wind turbines and towers from the Osage Indian Reservation in Oklahoma, was scheduled this week to begin hearing arguments in a trial on damages in the case. U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer Choe-Groves, of the U.S. Court of International Trade, …
Conservationist urges new approach for development of energy projects
Conservationist Wayne Walker wants a new approach to the development of energy projects and at the same time, the protection and growth of wildlife habitat. Writing this week in The Oklahoman, Walker, managing partner of LPC Conservation LLC, a federal partner in managing Habitation Conservation Plans, suggested a new and faster approach to …
Hydrogen production plant proposed in Cushing by Summit Utilities
Summit Utilities wants to build, own and operate a hydrogen blending facility in Cushing and is in the midst of seeking approval from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. The company has not indicated what the cost might be but filings with the Corporation Commission indicate that if approved, it would affect a typical residential customer’s …
Northeast Colorado pounded in severe hail storm
As some Oklahomans recovered Monday from the Sunday night tornadoes, northeast Colorado saw a different kind of storm damage—severe hail. The city of Yuma was pelted with so much hail, much of it the size of golf balls, it created a river of the frozen rain. Firefighters and weather spotters had difficulties …
Energy briefs
** Wyoming legislators are examining an approach to energy independence and ownership of coal- and natural-gas power plants that would directly pit them against the Biden administration’s policy of ending coal production by 2041. ** Toyota plans $532M expansion to add 411 jobs at its San Antonio manufacturing plant. ** Regional electrical grid operators have …
Crude oil prices slipped Monday
Crude oil prices backed off their recent gains and slipped less than 1% in Monday’s trading as the Fed indicated it is waiting for more signs that inflation is declining before it starts making any cuts in interest rates. Lower interest rates might boost economic growth and a demand for more crude oil. West …
Oklahomans prepare for the long Memorial Day weekend travel
The long Memorial Day weekend is approaching this week and the travel organization, AAA says 435,000 Oklahomans will be taking trips of 50 or more miles from home. The weekend travel period will be Thursday through Monday and AAA predicts the 435,000 Oklahomans will be among an expected 43.8 million to travel for the …
Drummond flexed his constitutional power in representing State Treasurer
When Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond removed the state treasurer’s defense team from a lawsuit filed over the constitutionality of Oklahoma’s energy discrimination elimination act, he wasted no time in taking control of the case. Oklahoma County Court records show Drummond filed on May 9 to intercede in the case where District Judge Sheila …