Author's posts
Court upholds wind farm moratorium
The Iowa Supreme Court has upheld a wind farm moratorium and ordinance imposed by a county whose residents didn’t want any more turbines around their homes and farms. Just as wind farm fights are held in Oklahoma over the state’s growth in wind turbines, the same fight occurred in Iowa, a state ranked …
Solar moratorium debated
While renewable energy development in Oklahoma remains a constant issue in some communities where solar and wind farms are proposed, it remains as well in the state legislature. A similar story is being played out in Missouri where the legislative session is about to end while there is continued debate on a proposal to suspend …
Colorado’s stand on data centers
Oklahoma legislators dealing with proposed data centers and their impact on electric rates and water use know the topic is well debated all over the nation. They also know they are not alone. Take Colorado for instance where dueling data center bills at the Colorado Capitol are stalled as the legislative session nears its end. The …
Energy briefs–Iran blinks? New oil route?
After President Trump cancelled peace talks, Iran makes an offer ** Iran has offered to end its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the U.S. lifting its blockade on the country and an end to the war, while proposing that discussions on the larger question of its nuclear program would come in a …
Shutoffs anger legislator
The results of a study showing Oklahoma ranks in the top three states in the U.S. in its power shut-offs prompted Tulsa Rep. Amanda Clinton to call the trend “just plain unacceptable.” In a social media posting, the Democrat lawmaker was not happy with what OK Energy Today reported from the Energy Policy Institute. “I …
Punting constitutionality?
Representative Tom Gann, one of the three legislators who took their fight to the Oklahoma Supreme Court against billions of dollars in 2021 Winter Storm rate hikes makes another appeal of a court reversal of his first attempt. And he doesn’t hold back in accusing the Court of punting on some easy questions of …
Record power shutoffs in Oklahoma
2024 Residential Utility Disconnections Report What is being called a ” first-of-its-kind federal report” had some startling revelations when it came to power shutoffs across the U.S. It showed utilities disconnected residential electric service 13.5 million times for unpaid bills in 2024 and residential gas service cutoffs happened 1.6 million times. Surprisingly, Oklahoma was the third ranked …
Enviros challenge Williams pipeline
Another Williams Cos. pipeline is facing a legal challenge. It is the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project, described as the largest pipeline project in the East Coast in a decade. Williams operates the Transco pipeline, an approximately 10,000-mile natural gas transportation system that extends from south Texas to New York City. The Transco pipeline is …
Indictments of oil theft
Fourteen people are indicted in connection with an oil theft ring in the Permian Basin stretching from Texas to New Mexico. The federal grand jury in Lubbock accuses the 14 of stealing the crude oil in eastern New Mexico and hauling it to Texas to resell at cut-rate prices. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for …
Regulators lower rates
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) has approved a reduction to the Oklahoma Universal Service Fund (OUSF) assessment of nearly 17 percent. This is in conjunction with the Commission’s continuing oversight of the OUSF and consideration of assessment levels. The reduction in the fee was lowered from $1.63 to $1.35 per connection, a decrease of …