Author's posts
Appeals Court Puts Another Regional Haze Plan on Hold
A government regional haze plan that would have required major upgrades to two coal-fired power plants in Utah has been put on hold by the Denver federal appeals court, the same court that rules in cases involving Oklahoma. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put the plan on hold as the judges indicated they …
NTSB Urges Caution Over Tesla’s Driverless Car System
At least one government agency is waving the caution flag as the government moves quickly for the development of driverless cars by automakers. The National Transportation Safety Board came out with its warning this week after investigating a fatal crash in Florida of a Tesla system which was said to have “played a major role” …
Legislator Wants Dice and Roulette Gambling to Solve Budget Hole
While oil and gas revenues have helped shore up Oklahoma’s revenue collections over the past year, one state legislator is proposing to expand Indian gaming in the state. Rep. Kevin Wallace, chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee wants to add routlette and dice games to the legalized gambling in the state. He also …
Oil and Gas Tax Revenues Boost August Collections in Oklahoma
Oil and gas tax revenue once again led the way in helping Oklahoma’s general revenue fund collections increase in August. Preston Doerflinger, Secretary of Finance, Administration and Technology said gross production tax collections totaled $19.9 million or $3.5 million than the estimate. That’s a 21.3 percent increase. The August oil and gas revenue collections were …
Kansas Regulators Target Old Natural Gas Pipelines for Improvement
Placing an emphasis on replacing old and obsolete natural gas pipelines, the Kansas Corporation Commission made it clear this week what it expects from three gas companies in the state. Commissioners told Atmos Energy, Black Hills Energy and Kansas Gas Services they should develop plans in the next three months to replace all bare steel …
Rep. Cole Says It’s Time to Support Florida and Texas Hurricane Victims
Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole says now is the time for Oklahomans and others to support victims of the Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Writing in a weekly column entitled “Healing After Hurricanes”, the Republican Representative said, “Now it’s time for all of us to have Houston’s and Florida’s backs.” Cole admitted it will be hard to …
Energy Transfer Partners Targeted by Protesters in Dallas
Environmentalists staged a recent protest in front of the Dallas, Texas headquarters of Energy Transfer Partners, the company that built and is operating the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota. Dozens rallied at the company’s headquarters then marched to the home of ETP President Kelcy Warren. There, they directed comments to Warren that he is …
Hurricanes Have Experts Wondering About Refinery Tanks and Locations
The damage inflicted by Hurricane Harvey on Texas Gulf Coast refineries has experts wondering about what Hurricane Irma might have done to storage tanks in Florida. In Texas, more than two dozen storage tanks holding crude oil and gasoline and other contaminants ruptured or failed. In one unconfirmed case, a company emptied its tanks then refilled …
Valero Moves Ahead With Refinery Restart Despite Emissions After Harvey
Valero Energy Corp. is pushing ahead with the restart of its Port Arthur, Texas refinery even after it experienced a disruption and emissions over the weekend. The restart came after the refinery was shut down when Hurricane Harvey hit the coast. “Unit upset during startup activities following Hurricane Harvey,” the refinery said in a …
Gasoline Prices Falling in Oklahoma and Other States After Hurricane Harvey
Gasoline prices have dropped in the past two weeks since Hurricane Harvey hit south Texas with some Oklahoma City gasoline stations pumping it at $1.99 a gallon. GasBuddy.com reports those are the lowest prices in Oklahoma with a few convenience stores and stations selling it for $2.01 and $2.02 a gallon. In Tulsa, prices vary …