Author's posts
Federal Agency Makes Safety Video Out of Near-Tragic Release of Deadly Chemicals in NE Kansas
One federal agency has turned a near-tragic chemical release in northeast Kansas into a “teachable moment.” The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has made a safety video out of what happened Oct. 21, 2016 when more than 11,000 people were evacuated and 140 others were hurt in the toxic chemical release at the MGPI Processing facility …
Another Rig Explosion Victim to be Buried Wednesday
The last of the three Oklahomans killed in last week’s drilling rig blast near Quinton will be buried Wednesday. Services for Parker Waldridge, 60 of Crescent will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Crescent. He will be buried in the Oakland-Knowles cemetery. Waldridge and four others died when the …
Underground Gas Line Fight Escalates in Colorado
The deadly gas explosion that killed two men last year in a suburb of Denver, Colorado has led to a growing fight between shale drillers and homeowners. The oil and gas industry is in a fight as environmentalists and homeowners want new rules mandating precise and comprehensive public mapping for underground lines. Colorado Gov. John …
Former Astronaut Nominated to Head USGS
Oklahomans have become all too familiar with the U.S. Geological Survey over the past five years, thanks to earthquakes. They soon might get to know the man who has been nominated to run the agency. Now, President Trump has nominated former astronaut and Texas geologist James F. Reilly II to head the USGS, the science …
Energy Transfer Announces Quarterly Cash Distribution
A quarterly cash distribution of $0.565 per unit was announced this week by Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. based in Dallas. The distribution is for the fourth quarter that ended December 31, 2017 for the company that once tried to merge with Williams Cos. of Tulsa before it ended in messy legal battles. The payout will …
Tulsa in Talks to Move Gas Transfer Company Near Proposed BMX National Headquarters
The city of Tulsa finds itself in a possible challenge as it wants to develop land north of downtown as the site for USA BMX headquarters and arena. There’s a liquid butane storage company near the 22.3 acre site. Mayor G.T. Bynum was to meet this week with the owner of the 2nd Base company …
Nation’s Rig Count Grows While Oil Prices Go Up
With oil prices in the upper 60-dollar a barrel range, the nation’s rig count grew by eleven in the past week to reach 947 while the count in Oklahoma fell by four. The nation’s count is up 235 from a year ago and in the past week saw a dozen more oil rigs added to …
Gasoline Prices Jump to $2.41 average in Oklahoma
Gasoline prices are up in Oklahoma because of the increase in crude oil prices overseas and in the U.S. AAA Oklahoma reports the statewide average is $2.41 a gallon, 6 cents higher than a week ago and 29 cents more a gallon than last year at this time. The increase in Oklahoma ranked the state …
EPA Surveys Residents Near Tar Creek Superfund Site
The EPA has started surveying those Oklahomans who live and work around the Tar Creek Superfund site in an attempt to learn how their lives are being affected by the environmental dangers. The EPA’s Technical Assistance for Communities group, TASC, started making inquiries about how much fish the residents eat and how much they play …
Thumbs Down from Tax Foundation for Step Up Oklahoma’s Tax Plans
While four living former governors of Oklahoma have endorsed the tax-hike proposals of the group Step Up Oklahoma, the Tax Foundation has not. It is out with a critical analysis of the tax increases proposed by the civic and government leaders who say it’s the path toward solving the state government budget crisis. In …