7-Eleven hit with record $4.5 million FTC fine over fuel outlet acquisition The 7-Eleven company found out the hard way the consequences of not following rules of the Federal Trade Commission. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced this week it fined 7-Eleven, Inc. and its parent company, Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd., $4.5 million …
Rare Permian Basin Plant Could Impact Oil and Gas Drilling
Endangered Species Protection Sought for New Mexico Flower Threatened by Fossil Fuel Industry Oklahoma oil and gas drillers and others active in the Permian Basin of west Texas and southeast New Mexico could soon face another regulatory challenge if a national environmental nonprofit succeeds in its latest legal push. The Center for Biological Diversity has …
ODOT Names Kendal Theisen as New State Traffic Engineer
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has announced Kendal Theisen as the agency’s new State Traffic Engineer, a leadership role responsible for shaping the future of traffic engineering, enforcement, education, safety, and operations programs statewide. In her new position, Theisen will develop and implement traffic-related engineering programs designed to improve safety and mobility across Oklahoma’s transportation …
Electricity—world’s largest energy employer
Electricity Sector Now Leads Global Energy Employment The growing emphasis and importance of electric utilities and the power they generate in Oklahoma mirrors a much broader global shift now unfolding across nearly every major economy in the world. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that the electricity sector is now the world’s largest energy employer, …
Natural gas to play major role in NextEra/Google deals
Natural Gas Plays Key Role in Power Strategy This week’s announcement of a major power agreement by NextEra Energy with Google, Meta, Exxon Mobil and other companies to build infrastructure for the AI boom involves several projects throughout the Midwest and even the Southwest Power Pool, the regional grid operator that includes Oklahoma. As details …
Legislator goes non-stop in challenging Hiett’s voting
One of the three legislators who went to the State Supreme Court in an attempt to stop Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett from voting on certain utility rate cases is making a full-court press by filing a large number of claims and complaints in the cases before the state regulators. One of the cases (2025-000038) …
Groups urge Congress to stop data center growth
Environmental Groups Call for National Data Center Moratorium Hundreds of environmental groups across the country now say it is time for a national moratorium on the growth of data centers, citing massive concerns involving energy use, water consumption, climate impacts and electricity costs. None of the organizations that signed the letter operate out of Oklahoma, …
Energy briefs
** NextEra Energy plans to make improvements to the original design of an Iowa nuclear plant that closed in 2020 following damage from a major storm as it looks to restart the facility. ** A coalition of 143 solar companies and industry representatives call on Congress to override a Trump administration policy that they say …
Crude oil dropped 2% after Iraqi oilfield production returned
After closing Friday at their highest level since November 18, crude oil prices on Monday fell 2% after production was restored in a large Iraqi oilfield. The Lukoil West Qurna 2 oilfield accounts for 0.5% of the world oil supply and an export pipeline leaked last week but Reuters reported it had been …
Steady oil/gas rig activity in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s oil and gas drilling was unchanged in the past week as the latest Baker Hughes Rig Count showed no losses or gains in the state’s popular drilling regions. The Cana Wood remained the most active with an unchanged count of 17 rigs followed by the Granite Wash at 12. The Ardmore Woodford …