A new study by Global Entrepreneurship Monitor shows Oklahoma is the 14th best state in the U.S. to start a new business. Nearly 1 in 5 working adults was a new business owner as of 2022 – up from 12.8% a decade earlier, and the highest rate in at least 20 years, according to the Global …
Governor wants to expand artificial intelligence in Oklahoma
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt says “Oklahoma truly could be the AI capital of the nation.” He’s released the recommendations of his AI Task Force and wants artificial intellilgence to become a mainstay for the Oklahoma economy. The Task Force suggests the implementation of AI could make the state government more efficient and also support …
Williams hires Biden nominee to be chief Capitol Hill lobbyist
Donald Cravins, Jr. (Photo: Business Wire) Williams Cos. announced this week it managed to grabbed a long-time government offiial and hired him to be Head of Government Affairs and Outreach in Washington, D.C. where he will be the company’s chief lobbyist on Capitol Hill. Donald “Don” R. Cravins, Jr., has been named Head of …
Water shortages developing in Oklahoma small towns
A report by KOCO TV News indicated that several towns across Oklahoma are dealing with water shortages. The Oklahoma Rural Water Association indicated at least five towns in the state reported the need to save water in the past few days. Lawrence Wortham, mayor of Perry said the city water supply “is depleted to …
BlackRock also owns shares in OGE
Still another SEC filing shows BlackRock, Inc. the firm on Oklahoma’s banned list for encouraging an ESG policy that discrimnates against the oil and gas industry, has ownership in yet another Oklahoma energy firm. The latest filing is by OG&E which showed BlackRock with ownership of 24,893,403 shares or 12.4% of the utility. As …
Kansas oil tycoon known for his OSU support dead at age of 95
Just as the late oilman T. Boone Pickens was a major contributor to Oklahoma State University and its football stadium, another oilman, Cecil O’Brate did the same for the school’s baseball program. The Kansas oil and gas tycoon died last weekend at the age of 95. He developed his wealth as a farmer in …
One of largest Buc-ee’s travel centers is about to open south of Fort Worth
Okay, Buc-ee’s has yet to build one of its wildly popular highway stops in Oklahoma. But one of the growing company’s latest is about to open in Hillsboro, Texas, midway between Fort Worth and Waco and along I-35. One report suggested the grand opening will be part of a once-in-a-lifetime historic event. The Fort …
Energy quick reads
** For many drivers of EVs, premature tire wear has become an unexpected black mark on vehicles promoted as a green climate-friendly option to gas-gulping cars. ** US household utility debt is at a record high as more Americans struggle to cope with rising heating and cooling costs. ** Plug Power Inc. surged the most …
Longtime accountant executive at Devon Energy to retire
Devon Energy Corp. announced that Jeremy Humphers, Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, is retiring from the company after working there since 2003. He will step down from his current role effective March 8, 2024. John Sherrer will succeed Humphers as Vice President, Accounting & Controller and will be designated as the company’s …
Growing debt as consumers struggle with increasing utility costs
Customers of Oklahoma’s major utilities who complain about the never-ending cycle of rate hike requests and approvals are not alone. Many have complained to Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners and in OG&E’s latest request for a rate hike that would raise residential rates by another $19 a month, a long list of consumers opposed the request. …