Author's posts
Groups call Permian Basin polluted
Environmental and health groups are asking the EPA to designate the Permian basin in New Mexico as a nonattainment area for ozone under the Clean Air Act. The area in question falls in southeast New Mexico and is a site for oil and gas drilling. Some Oklahoma-based oil companies are involved in the exploration and …
PSO finances grants for teachers
Literacy resources for 2nd graders in Oologah, composting equipment for students in Chouteau, and an electric current board in Henryetta are just some of the projects funded by 2026 Teacher Vision Grants, announced by Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO). The 25 PSO Teacher Vision grants to Oklahoma public school teachers total more than $11,000. …
Energy briefs–blockade costly to Iran
Blockade costly for Iran ** According to Pentagon officials, over 40 vessels carrying oil and other contraband have been redirected by the US military since the blockade began on April 13th. The US Department of Defense estimates that Iran has lost nearly five billion dollars in oil revenue as a result of the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, …
Oil prices tumbled Friday
A move by Iran to offer a proposal on negotiations with the U.S. sent crude oil prices falling on Friday. The decline was nearly 3% for prices in the U.S. Still, oil prices managed a gain for the week. Brent crude finished down $2.23 or 2.02% at $108.17 after soaring earlier in the week to …
Oil prices continue their climb
World oil prices surged Thursday to $125 a barrel, its highest level since March, then dropped as there was a mixture of news from the White House about the war with Iran. Brent crude, the global benchmark, dropped 3.3% and finally closed the day at $114.08 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. standard, …
Data protection bill stalled
If State Sen. Grant Green of Wellston thought his amended version of the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026 would be quickly adopted in the House where it originated, he was wrong. House Bill 2992, whose author is Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, was sent back to the House this week after the Senate …
Firm advances rare earth minerals
USA Rare Earth’s President Barbara Humpton says her firm’s recent $2.8 billion acquisition of a mining operation in Brazil will eventually make the company and its magnet producing operation in Stillwater a leader in the rare earth industry worldwide and reduce dependency on China. Interviewed Thursday on the Fox program, Mornings with Maria, she …
OGE wins Google contracts
OG&E, the operating subsidiary of locally-headquartered OGE Energy Corp., announced that it will power three new data centers that Google announced in Muskogee and Stillwater last year. Google promised to pay its share of the power generation. The data centers and associated Electric Service Agreements will provide economic growth for local communities and the …
Energy briefs–oil prices soar again
Oil prices hit $125 early Thursday US talks Strait of Hormuz ** The US is pushing for other countries to form an international coalition to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a State Department cable seen by Reuters. ** At least six ships – a fraction of the usual traffic …
Power talks underway
Even as Public Service Company officials defended their plan for expanded electric power production in the state before state regulators this week, they faced pressure to supply power to the controversial $4 billion aluminum smelter proposed in Inola. Their plan carries an estimated cost of $1.2 billion to $3.2 billion. Oklahoma manufacturing executive Ryan Plotkin, …