Former Oklahoma Army National Guard Brigadier General Hopper Smith landed another new state job. He’s been named by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to be its new State Director of Aerospace and Defense. Smith joined the Commerce Department after being named in 2018 as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission. He was …
Additional energy headlines
** The Biden administration maintains that the SPR is still the largest strategic reserve across the globe. It has about 400 million barrels remaining, which Biden says is “more than enough for any supply emergency.” ** The US now has just a 25 day supply of diesel, and that’s the lowest level since 2008. On top …
Southwest Power Pool names new director of electricity development
Southwest Power Pool (SPP), a regional power grid operator that ensures access to reliable and affordable electricity, has chosen Carrie Simpson to lead the continued development of its electricity services in the western U.S. as Director of Western Services Development effective Nov. 1, 2022. In her new role, Simpson will direct the ongoing development …
Oil and Gas operators standing up against New Mexico’s latest moves
A recent move by the state of New Mexico to tighten requirements on oil and gas operations has prompted oil and gas leaders to put up a fight. The push by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to reduce environmental impacts and transition away from oil and gas prompted the head of the Independent Petroleum of New …
Still a chance of a railway shutdown
Following a move by the nation’s major freight railroads to give track maintenance workers more sick time, there’s a growing chance a railway strike is still imminent. The Associated Press reports the railroads issued a statement rejecting the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division union’s latest report to add seven days of paid …
Crude oil unsettled in Thursday’s trading while OK energy stocks fell
Thursday’s crude oil prices reflected growing worries about inflation and its impact on the demand for oil. While US prices managed a small gain, overseas prices fell. West Texas Intermediate crude for November delivery went up 43 cents or .50% to settle at $85.98 a day on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark …
Oklahoma joins probe of Net-Zero Banking Alliance
Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor announced that his office and 18 other attorneys general have served six major American banks with civil investigative demands, which act as a subpoena, asking for documents relating to the companies’ involvement with the United Nations’ (UN) Net-Zero Banking Alliance. The banks under investigation include Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman …
Partnership promotes energy jobs in Oklahoma
This week was Careers in Energy Week as Oklahoma Gas and Electric and Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City joined efforts to encourage job seekers to explore energy work as a career path. Specifically, those taking part in the job-seeking were encouraged to consider employment from chemical and electrical engineering to oil rig and electric utility …
Details of Harold Hamm’s takeover of Continental Resources
Details of Harold Hamm’s $4.3 billion takeover of Continental Resources were made known this week in filings with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission. In two separate filings, Hamm and his Omega Acquisition, Inc., the firm merging with Continental Resources to complete the takeover, offered detailed ownership of company shares by the Hamm family and members …
Solar farms to be new source of tax revenue?
While the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled this week against taxing production tax credits used by the state’s wind farms, legislators in nearby Missouri are exploring how to tax solar energy farms, a matter arising from a Missouri Supreme Court ruling. The high court in Missouri ruled in August that a 2013 state law granting …