** The N.C. Utilities Commission’s first-ever plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions caused by generating electricity in the state has been met with widespread criticism. Environmental groups and solar energy trade associations have argued that the plan unnecessarily limits the amount of new solar energy while allowing Duke Energy to move forwa ** After proving it could …
Will Biden continue his war on oil and gas?
Perhaps the control of the U.S. House by Republicans will create a turn of events for the oil and gas industry which for the past two years has been the target of critical efforts by President Biden. It has created some speculation whether Biden will be as bold in his war on the industry. …
Wyoming legislators consider end to EV sales by 2035
There’s nothing like it in the Oklahoma legislature. But the Wyoming legislature is considering a proposed idea of a statewide ban of the sale of new electric vehicles by 2035. It’s sort of a reverse California law where gasoline powered vehicles are to be banned in the coming decades. The Wyoming resolution has support …
OGE observes MLK activities
For the fourth year in a row, OG&E is observing a Week of Service to celebrate and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by partnering with elementary schools, participating in the annual Oklahoma City MLK Day Parade and highlighting its diversity and inclusion efforts. “Starting the new year with …
Friday saw a $1 gain in crude oil prices but losses for OK energy stocks
While crude oil prices rose more than a dollar a barrel on Friday, Oklahoma energy stocks recorded a weak trading day. For oil prices, it was the biggest weekly gain since October as West Texas Intermediate crude for February delivery rose $1.47 or 1.9% to finish at $79.86 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. …
Increased US drilling activity while slight drop recorded in Oklahoma
The nation’s oil and gas fields saw a gain of 3 rigs to reach a total of 775 while there was a drop in activity in Oklahoma reported Baker Hughes on Friday. The well-servicing company reported the number of oil rigs increased by 5 to 623 while the count of gas drilling rigs fell …
Well plugging program delayed in Oklahoma
Those speed bumps that Brandy Wreath, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission talked about in briefing commissioners on the state’s well plugging program apparently became road blocks. In an update last week, Wreath told commissioners he had hopes of securing a third-party administrator so the Commission could soon begin methane testing as part …
Williams subsidiary gets approval for $980 million pipeline project in New Jersey
Federal regulators signed off on approval of a $980 million expansion of the Transco pipeline in the northeast, a line owned by a Williams Company subsidiary. State officials were joined by environmental groups in fighting the expansion of the interstate natural gas pipeline, claiming the expansion would only hit ratepayers with unnecessary costs for …
New Mexico rancher fights state’s wind farm development on state land
A rancher who sued over wind farm development on the land he leased from the State of New Mexico ended up this week in New Mexico Supreme Court. The Blanchard Corona Ranch contended the wind lease development interfered with his grazing leases and abilities to raise cattle on the state trust land reported the …
Study says anti-ESG movement is costing taxpayers
A new study supported by environmental activists contends such efforts by Oklahoma and other states targeting investment firms that discriminate against oil and gas funding actually will cost taxpayers more in higher interest payments. It was last year when Oklahoma adopted the Energy Discrimination Elimination Act of 2022 (House Bill 2034) which identifies those firms …