Our apologies but a correction is necessary from the story we carried this week about Native American environmental groups, the Sierra Club and the ACLU opposing some legislative bills. In our story dated March 8, we incorrectly identified Ashley McCray as being a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Tribe. Instead, she is an enrolled member …
Former Tulsa Energy Exec Named New Mexico Energy Secretary
A former Tulsa oil executive has been confirmed to be the state of New Mexico’s Director of the Department of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources. The New Mexico State senate has voted 32-4 to confirm the appointment of Ken McQueen by Republican gov. Susana Martinez. He will take over as Energy Secretary on the governor’s …
Dividend Declared by Tulsa-based WPX Energy
Tulsa’s WPX Energy has declared a quarterly dividend to holders of the company’s 6.25 percent Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. The board of directors approved a dividend of $0.781215 per share which is payable on May 1, 2017. The company is one of the 20 largest U.S. energy producers based on total assets and …
Governor Names OU Professor to be Secretary of Science and Technology
Governor Mary Fallin has named longtime meteorologist Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier to be her administration’s secretary of science and technology. His appointment to her Cabinet starts Monday. Droegemeier is vice president for research at the University of Oklahoma, a Regents’ professor of meteorology, the Weathernews chair emeritus and Teigen presidential professor at the university. He already …
Blueknight Energy Trucking Honored for Safety
Oklahoma City-based Blueknight Energy Partners, L.P. was recently recognized for its oil transportation safety achievements at the Oklahoma Trucking Association’s Annual Safety Awards banquet. The firm was named the 2016 Grand Champion Award recipient and also given the First Place Safety Award in the 1 to 5 million annual miles Petroleum Class. “This is a …
Denver Federal Appeals Court Wants Decision From Trump Administration on Fracking Fight
The Denver federal appeals court is telling the Trump administration to decide if it wants to defend an Obama-era fracking regulation. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals gave a deadline of Wednesday for government lawyers to decide if they will continue the fight for the Interior Department’s hydraulic fracturing rule. A district court struck …
Drought Spreads Throughout NW Oklahoma and the Panhandle
The latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows the drought is growing quickly in some areas of Oklahoma. The most rapid growth has been seen in the Panhandle where parts of Cimarron and Texas counties where the extreme drought jumped from 0.18 last week to 3.17 percent this week. It also explains why one …
Left-Lane Drivers Targeted in House Bill
You left-lane drivers who won’t move over into the right lane of a 4-lane Interstate or highway are the reason why House Bill 2312 won approval in the Oklahoma House this week. Only two Representatives voted against the measure that would ban driving in the left left unless it was for the purpose of overtaking …
Electric Car Drivers Targeted by State House Bill
Durant State Rep. Dustin Roberts apparently thinks it is time drivers of electric cars paid their fair share for the wear and tear on Oklahoma roads and highways. His House Bill 1449 won approval in the State House this week on a vote of 51-44. It is a bill that would enforce up to …
Oklahoma AG Mike Hunter Announces Key Staff Appointments
Newly appointed Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter is making some key staff changes in his office following the departure of his predecessor Scott Pruitt, who was recently chosen to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Hunter announced Wednesday that Oklahoma Tax Commissioner Dawn Cash will serve as his First Assistant Attorney General. Cash is the …