The AARP in Oklahoma says state regulators should take note of the warning from consumers—-don’t shift the soaring costs of powering large data centers onto residential customers. An overwhelming 92% of Oklahomans age 50‑plus say elected officials should ensure residential customers do not pay for the costs of serving new large data centers, according to …
Category: Solar Energy in Oklahoma
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 …
Energy briefs–peace talks cancelled
What’s impacting oil prices? No more peace talks with Iran ** Oil prices held steady over the weekend even as President Trump canceled any more peace talks with Iran. “They can call us anytime they want,” he said on Saturday. Naval blockade still in effect ** As the naval blockade of the Strait of …
Floating solar panels
(Michael Popp, professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness, stands on a floating solar array in Spain in 2024. Popp’s research into floating solar panels at the Rice Research and Extension Center in Stuttgart includes a public perception survey. (Photo courtesy of Mike Popp) What about using solar arrays floating on water? It’s what the …
Energy briefs—Iran shoots at ships
** Iran fired on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz and seized two of them on Wednesday, intensifying its assault on shipping in the key waterway a day after U.S. President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire while maintaining an American blockade of Iranian ports. ** “Multiple oil spills are visible from space after Iranian and US-Israeli …
Utility CEOs highly paid
A new study showed Chief Executive Officers of the nation’s investor-owned electric and gas utilities hauled in $626 million total last year and two of them are in Oklahoma. The analysis by the Energy and Policy Institute of recent annual corporate filings revealed the top ten earners received more than $200 million “as customers …
Energy briefs
The changing status of the war in Iran keeps oil prices changing ** Oil and natural gas prices rose after the US Navy seized an Iranian ship during a chaotic weekend that saw Tehran firing at vessels and reimposing controls in the Strait of Hormuz. ** Oil and natural gas prices rose after the US …
Energy briefs
** Iran said on Friday that it had reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, sending oil prices tumbling. The key oil artery would remain “completely open” for the duration of the ceasefire in the Middle East, Tehran announced. ** The U.S. military is readying to board ships linked to Iran and seize commercial vessels in international waters …
Ratepayer protection bill to Senate
The proposed Data Center Customer Protection Act of 2026 is on its way to be voted on by the Oklahoma Senate after winning recent unanimous approval in a Senate Energy Committee hearing. Proposed originally by Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow and also a candidate for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the measure is designed to protect consumers …
SunZia starts supplying power
Described as the largest renewable energy effort in the U.S., the $11 billion SunZia Wind project in New Mexico has started delivering electrical power to consumers in California. Testing of the project’s 916 turbines recently began as the power generating effort will officially start commercial operations later this quarter. Developing 3.5 gigawatts of wind …