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EIA wonders why Midwest electric grids hesitate the use of wind power
The federal government is asking the question, “Why are Midwest grid operators turning away wind power?” Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Hourly Electric Grid Monitor; the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) market monitor; and Potomac Economics (the Midcontinent Independent System Operator [MISO] market monitor) Note: Midwestern United States is the area overseen by the MISO and the SPP …
OGE expects some OKC power outages to continue into Friday following Tuesday night severe weather
Electric power in most areas hit by the Tuesday night severe weather in Oklahoma was expected to be restored Thursday evening by OG&E. But outages in the Oklahoma City metro were predicted to continue through Friday. The company stated Thursday it anticipated a full return of power by 5 p.m. Thursday in Fort Smith, …
Tulsa to be site of Norwegian firm’s first-ever solar wafer plant in the U.S.
Solar manufacturing is coming to Tulsa in a big way—$620 million worth. NorSun, a Norwegian solar energy company that manufactures monocrystalline silicon wafers for the global solar energy industry, announced this week plans to build a plant at the Tulsa International Airport. Governor Kevin Stitt made the announcement this week that the firm …
Love’s cuts funding ties to Oklahoma Pride Alliance over Free Palestine support
Oklahoma City-based Loves Travel Stops Company won’t sponsor this year’s Oklahoma PrideFest and Parade because the organizers embraced the Free Palestine stance. The Oklahoma City Public School District did the same thing, pull its support of the parade. Loves was clear why it opposed funding the parade. “—Love’s made the decision last week …
EPA finally settles lawsuit over 2015 Gold King mine blowout
It was nine years ago when an EPA project in southern Colorado led to the disastrous event that became known as the Gold King Mine blowout, where millions of gallons of acid mine waste were released in to the Animas River. It not only caused an environmental disaster in Southern Colorado but in New …
Nearly half of EV owners “regret” their switch from gas cars
Here’s an eye-opener about EV owners. A new survey says nearly half of the owners of electric vehicles in the U.S. aren’t happy with their purchase and regret making the switch from gasoline-powered vehicles to EVs. Released this month, the Mobility Consumer Pulse for 2024 conducted by McKinsey & Co., the survey found that …
Energy briefs
** Here’s where more of your money is going. The Biden administration announced Wednesday $375 million in funding for renewable energy projects, predominantly through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The funding, announced by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, includes $275 million through the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program, an IRA program devoted to renewable electrification in rural …
Oil execs predict continued oil company consolidations will lead to lower oil production
Oil company executives surveyed by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas predict there will be a decline of US oil production—-if the corporate-acquisition spree continues across the shale sector. More than 50% of them said they see lower domestic crude output, especially if the consolidation of oil and gas firms continues for the next …
New AEP chairman named
The parent company of Public Service Company of Oklahoma just got a new President. American Electric Power’s Board of Directors has elected William J. “Bill” Fehrman as president and chief executive officer, effective Aug. 1, 2024. Fehrman, 63, is AEP’s 13th president and ninth CEO in the company’s 118-year history. He will succeed Ben Fowke, …
Cushing sees a drop in crude oil storage while the US recorded a gain
The U.S. saw a gain in crude oil stocks while the amount held in storage at Oklahoma’s Cushing Hub declined. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported the U.S. saw a gain of 3.6 million barrels of crude oil, from 457.1 million barrels recorded on June 14 to 460.7 million barrels as of June …