Don’t put out those tomato plants quite yet. Hard freezes are coming in Oklahoma. It’s the latest word from Oklahoma Climatologist Gary McManus. “That’s okay though (it’s not really, but humor me). We’re still a week or three away from our average last spring freeze,” he wrote in his Monday morning Mesonet blog. He …
Texas Congressman wants power grid sharing with Oklahoma and other states
If a Texas congressman is successful, his state’s power grid known as ERCOT, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, would be able to connect to neighboring power grids such as Oklahoma to receive emergency power when it is needed. U.S. Rep. Greg Casar’s “Connect the Grid Act” would help Texas reduce the possibility of …
More than a dozen lawsuits are filed over the Texas Panhandle wildfires
Lawyers gathered over the weekend in the Texas Panhandle to hold a town hall meeting to focus on the more than a dozen lawsuits filed in the wake of the deadly and destructive wildfires. Most have been filed against Xcel Energy and blamed it for causing the fires that burned more than a million …
GOP Senators hit Treasury Secretary Yellen with more tough budget charges
First there was the tough round of questions from Oklahoma U.S. Sen. James Lankford and now Republican Senators have sent a pointed letter with accusations to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Lankford challenged the administration’s new tax code for not allowing business expenses for oil and gas producers. Then 24 Senate Republican accused the administration …
Rep. Lucas says Commerce Department and not FAA should handle commercial space development
The FAA or the Commerce Department—-who should be in charge of commercial space development? The FAA leaders argue it should be split responsibility between the Commerce Department and the Federal Aviation Administration. Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas, chair of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, says no, it should totally be in the hands …
New company helps Norman school district obtain solar tax credits
The Norman School District is using a new federal tax credit to install solar panels atop the Norman North high School. Installation is expected to begin this week as the district hopes to trim electricity costs. With the help of a new company, the school district is being able to do what it …
The race to develop hydrogen as a cleaner transportation fuel
The rush to hydrogen development in Texas is getting a new focus and also raising questions whether it is environmentally sound. Some contend it is not the clean fuel option as professed by supporters. Advocates say it is critical in combating climate change. The Texas Tribune recently explored the issue. Click here for Texas …
Energy quick reads
** The Biden administration announced $6 billion in funding Monday for projects that will slash emissions from the industrial sector — the largest-ever U.S. investment to decarbonize domestic industry to fight climate change. ** Sustainable energy company Avangrid unveiled its economic and fiscal impact report on March 1 and announced that its Kitty Hawk Wind project …
Hydro project developer has ties to China
By Mike W. Ray Southwest Ledger More is being learned about a Texas company whose plans to develop a hydroelectric power plant using water from the Kiamichi River in southeast Oklahoma were temporarily rejected last week. The Southeast Oklahoma Power Corporation (SEOPC) is owned and managed by individuals who have no connections whatsoever to Oklahoma. …
House Republicans announce energy legislation blitz
Look for Oklahoma’s Republican members of the U.S. to be active this week in supporting a handful of GOP bills aimed against President Biden’s green energy push that targeted the oil and gas industry. The House GOP leadership announced over the weekend it intends to launch a blitz of bills switching who is in …