Now a potential fight and standoff with the Dakota Access Pipeline protesters is developing with the federal government. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has ordered the protesters off the federal land where they created an encampment over the past several months while protesting the $3.8 billion pipeline that will carry oil from North …
AG Scott Pruitt to Meet with Donald Trump
He’s already made a name for himself by challenging some of the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations such as WOTUS and the Clean Power Plan, and now Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt apparently is interviewing for a possible job with the Donald Trump administration. Reports indicate that Pruitt will meet Monday in New York City with …
ONG Identifies 200 plus Potentially Dangerous Pipeline Sites
While Oklahoma Natural Gas was ordered recently by the State Corporation Commission to carry out a system-wide review of its pipelines following a Jan. 2 explosion in Oklahoma City, the company is refusing to disclose the locations of problem areas. ONG has reportedly identified more than 200 such sections of potentially dangerous pipeline according …
Baker Hughes Rig Count Adds 5 Nationally while Oklahoma is Unchanged
The Baker Hughes rig count, released early due to the Thanksgiving holiday showed a national increase of 5 rigs to reach 593 while the count in Oklahoma remained unchanged at 79. In the past week, the national count added three oil rigs to reach 474 while the number of gas rigs grew by two …
Judge Puts Obama Overtime Rule on Hold—–Lankford says it would have been devastating
Oklahoma U.S. Sen. James Lankford suggests a Texas federal judge did the right thing Tuesday in block implementing of President Obama’s new federal overtime rule that was set to take effect Dec. 1. “I am pleased that a Federal District Judge has, yet again, pumped the brakes on another harmful regulation from the Obama administration,” said the …
ATT Under Fire After Hughes County Switches to Cheaper Phone Service
“They’re holding us hostage.” It’s the cry from Hughes County Clerk Carolyn Treble as frustration fills her voice after dealing for weeks with people unable to make telephone calls to the courthouse and sheriff’s office. And the brunt of her frustration is aimed at ATT. The problem stems from the county’s move months ago to …
Surprise—–No Recommendations of Cutting Tax Credits to Governor and Legislature so Far
As the Oklahoma Incentive Evaluation Commission prepares to meet Tuesday to continue its consideration of tax credits, its most recent recommendations to the governor and the state legislature are surprising to some. Initially when the Commission was formed earlier in the year, there was a suggested belief that some tax credits or incentives might get …
Incentive Evaluation Commission Finalizes 2016 Recommendations
The Incentive Evaluation Commission met in a special meeting held on Wednesday at the Oklahoma State Capitol and approved the recommendations of ten tax incentives conducted by Iowa-based vendor consultant, The PFM Group. During the first hour of the meeting, the discussion centered on the nature of the commission’s duties and reporting scope. Chairman Lyle …
Sheriff Vows to Spray Protesters Again in Cold Weather in North Dakota
Law officers who sprayed water on protesters in below-freezing temperatures at the Dakota Access oil pipeline site in North Dakota defend what they did this week and say they’ll do it again if necessary. Led by mostly Native American Indians who contend the pipeline potentially could damage their drinking water, the protests were hit with …
Barge Traffic Increases at Tulsa Port of Catoosa
Barge traffic not only increased in October but for the year-to-date according to information released this week by the Tulsa Port of Catoosa. And it meant fewer 18-wheelers on Oklahoma highways. Barge tonnage was 213,717 in 111 barges for the month of October. That’s equivalent to what the Port announcement said “would have added a …