The U.S. Commerce Department’s Office of Inspector General says allegations of whistleblower retaliation made by Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas and other members of a House committee against the Acting IG Roderick Anderson were investigated and found to have no basis. The book was closed on the claims. In a response to OK Energy …
New 80 mph speed limit on H.E. Bailey turnpike
Motorists can now legally drive 80 mph on part of the I-44/H.E. Bailey Turnpike in Oklahoma rather than hedging the 75 mph speed limit. The limit was increased to 80 on Thursday on a 59-year mile portion of the turnpike between Chickasha and Lawton in Comanche, Caddo and Grady counties. Signs were installed with …
Crude oil and Oklahoma energy stocks finished the week with gains
Crude oil prices finished up on Friday but down for the week. The gain in prices on Friday came after Iran downplayed Israel’s missile attack which came days after Iran sent hundreds of missiles and drones over Israel. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 41 cents or 0.5% to reach $83.14 a barrel on the New …
Crude oil held steady in Thursday’s trading
Crude oil prices remained close to a three-week low after Thursday’s trading after the US resumed sanctions against Venezuela and Iran while tensions seemed to cool a little in the Middle East where Israel still could produce a military response to Iran’s attack. West Texas Intermediate crude, considered the US benchmark rose 4 cents or …
600 power poles still being replaced from Wyoming wind storm
Talk about wind….it’s what hit eastern Wyoming earlier in the month and power crews are still busy replacing nearly 600 utility poles that were downed in the storm. Snow fell and 50-mile an hour winds gave it added forcing, downing 590 power miles for the High West Energy Co-Op headquartered in Pine Bluffs. …
Increased gasoline prices hold steady in Oklahoma
Gasoline prices are holding at higher amounts this week, reaching an average of $3.22 per gallon across Oklahoma. It’s a penny less than a week ago but 15 cents more than one month ago reports the American Automobile Association. Still, you could live in California where the average is up to $5.45 a gallon. …
Chesapeake Energy to release 1Q earnings report
As it prepares for its merger with Southwestern Energy later in the year, Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy Corporation plans a release of its first quarter operational and financial results. They will be made public after the close of markets on Tuesday, April 30. Company leaders plan to take part in a conference call the …
Controversial solar farm approved near Lawrence, Kansas
After nine hours of testimony, County Commissioners in Lawrence, Kansas approved a permit to allow construction of a 600-acre solar farm near the city. Farmers and other landowners opposed the Kansas Sky Energy Center, a project financed by Evergy. Environmentalists and others supported the project that, according to Solar Energy Industries Association data, will generate …
Solar eclipse produced millions in tourism revenue for Oklahoma
The solar eclipse that attracted visitors to Oklahoma also brought in an estimated $42 million in tourism revenue reported the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. The figure is based on attendance of nearly 123,000 visitors to seven state parks who came to view the full or partial totality of the eclipse. The Tourism …
Drummond joins fight with EPA over using race to determine pollution decisions
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s latest fight with the EPA focuses on the agency’s consideration of race in regulation of pollution. He is one of 23 attorneys general who signed on with a petition authored by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody asking the EPA to stop including race as a consideration. Moody pointed …