The dangers of an EV battery fire were highlighted recently in California where a wrecked Tesla caught fire three weeks after it was taken to the salvage yard. But more details of how intense and difficult the fire was are being reported by USA Today. Click here for USA Today
Delayed lease sales by Biden administration to begin this week
New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Nevada and Utah. States where the Biden administration plans to hold leases sales this week for new oil and gas drilling on public lands. Wyoming will be the largest with 130,000 acres available for lease reported The Hill. Click here for The Hill
Rep. Cole calls gas tax holiday Biden’s latest bad idea
President Biden’s call for a federal gas tax holiday and to have states take the same kind of action is being called another “bad” idea by Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole. In his latest weekly newsletter to constituents, the Republican Representative said such a plan would only create more problems including an increased demand for …
Judge wades through detailed testimony in OGE rate hike hearing
If consumers interested in the $163.5 million rate hike sought by Oklahoma Gas and Electric thought a Corporation Commission judge’s hearing Monday would be brief, they were wrong. Administrative Law Judge Linda Foreman spent the entire day listening to testimony and detailed questions by attorneys not only representing OG&E but numerous other groups, some …
Crude prices and OK energy stocks rose Monday
The possibility of tighter oil supplies drove crude prices up on Monday by nearly $2 a barrel. It came while the Group of Seven nations promised to put the squeeze on Russia’s Putin as he presses his war on Ukraine. As a result, Oklahoma energy stocks made strong gains for the day with …
Rising gas prices ease off in Oklahoma ahead of July 4 holiday
As drivers head into the July 4th holiday, they will see some relief at the pumps in Oklahoma. Soaring gasoline prices in Oklahoma have backed off in recent days leaving the statewide average at $4.56 a gallon, six cents cheaper than one week ago. Declining prices also left only one county above the $5 …
Tulsa high school adds aircraft mechanics to its curriculum
High School students at one Tulsa school will soon have an option of learning how to work on airplanes. The Tulsa World reported East Central High School added the courses that will help those students who choose, to pass a mechanic certification exam with the Federal Aviation Administration. Click here for Tulsa World
Colorado legislators okay $65 million for electric school buses
Legislators in Colorado took another major step in pushing the state toward expanded electric vehicle use by approving $65 million to help school districts acquire EV buses. The Colorado Sun reported such buses cost on average $400,000 or about three times the cost of a diesel or gasoline-powered school bus. Now a state agency …
Agency to consider $2.2 billion in bonds for utilities
The last three of four requests by Oklahoma utilities for billions of dollars in ratepayer backed bonds to cover 2021 February winter storm costs go before a state agency on Wednesday. The Oklahoma Development Finance Authority, in its 10 a.m. meeting will consider ratepayer-backed securitization proposals from Oklahoma Natural Gas, Public Service Company of Oklahoma …
Other headlines
** North Dakota regulators this week will hold a public hearing on a proposed $390 million wind project in the southern part of the state. ** A coal company owned by West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice’s family agrees to pay $320 million to a Swiss bank to help settle an outstanding $850 million debt. ** Volkswagen aims to hire 1,000 new employees at its …
