Author's posts
Realtors Take Issue with Call by Striking Teachers to Eliminate Capital Gains Tax Exemptions
The call by striking teachers for the state to eliminate the tax deductions or exemptions from capital gains is being opposed by at least one group. The Oklahoma Association of Realtors came out this week with a video and statement indicating such a move would be harmful to Oklahoma’s economy. Capital gains exemptions are common …
Chesapeake Considers Possible Sale of Billions in Senior Notes
Chesapeake Energy in Oklahoma City has filed forms with the SEC indicating the possible sale of several billion dollars in Senior Notes. In the filing made this week with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the energy company indicated the information in the prospectus was not complete and could be changed. Chesapeake also noted that it …
AG Bends—Releases Controversial Audits of Tar Creek Superfund Site Buyouts
After being sued by a Washington D.C. watchdog group and facing criticism, Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter has released controversial audits of how the buyout of homes and businesses was handled at the Tar Creek Superfund site. He announced the release after getting approval from Judge Thomas Prince who presides over Oklahoma’s Multicounty Grand Jury. …
State Regulators Respond to Oklahoma’s Latest Earthquakes
State regulators are waiting to see if their latest attempts to ease the potential for an increase in northern Oklahoma earthquakes will work. Following what was originally rated a 4.6 magnitude earthquake, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission directed the operator of one wastewater disposal well to reduce the volume of injection. The volume was to be …
SandRidge Energy Responds to Icahn’s Attempted Takeover
Days after corporate raider Carl Icahn announced his intention to attempt a total replacement of the SandRidge Energy Board of Directors, the company responded Monday saying it has attempted to get his input but he has refused the offers. The lengthy statement said in part: “SandRidge welcomes shareholder input and will review all qualified candidates …
Senators Put Wind Industry in Their Sights
One of the latest bills in the legislature to target Oklahoma’s wind industry was unveiled Monday by two Senators who maintained they were not “anti-wind industry,” but that Oklahoma is on the hook for up to $750 million in tax credits in the next ten years. “It’s not right that we are raising everyone else’s …
Crude Oil Prices Make Big Two-Week Gains in Monday’s Trading
With tensions easing in a possible trade war with China, crude oil prices rose the most in two weeks on Monday. The price for a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude rose $1.36 to hit $63.42 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It’s still a few dollars below the 52-week high of $66.66. …
Denver Federal Appeals Court Rules Against Two Osage County Land Owners
The U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver has ruled against two northeast Oklahoma residents in their legal fight against oil and gas operations in Osage County. The federal appeals court upheld a lower court judge’s ruling to dismiss the suit filed by Martha Donelson and John Friend. The two had originally filed suit …
Unwanted Headlines and News Coverage for Pruitt
How much national news coverage is Scott Pruitt getting these days over things at the EPA? Obviously, far more than he wants and ever expected to get. Just consider how Politico’s Morning Energy Report covered things last Friday: WHAT COMES NEXT? EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt fared seemingly well Thursday, at least comparatively – appearing in no …
Informational Meeting Set for Eagle Industries Superfund Site in Midwest City
The State Department of Environmental Quality plans to hold an informational meeting Tuesday evening to discuss the Eagle Industries Superfund Site in Midwest City. The event will be held from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Nick Harroz Midwest City Community center at 200 North Midwest Boulevard. Representatives from the DEQ and the Environmental …