While consumers enjoy lower fuel prices associated with the energy downturn, cheap oil is to blame for the loss of nearly 200,000 jobs, according to a report issued on Thursday by outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. Almost 95,000 jobs have been eliminated in 2016 by energy companies, according to the Chicago-based firm. Most …
State’s Economic Downturn Exceeds Great Recession of 2008-2010
As oil and gas revenues continue to tumble in Oklahoma, the state’s economic decline has now lasted 17 months, three months longer than the so-called Great Recession that ran from 2008 to 2010. State Treasurer Ken Miller says the 12-month collections since Feb. 2015 have fallen by $1.1 billion or 8.8 percent. He says during …
Inhofe at Odds with White House Over Environmental Quality Council
Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe is again at odds with the Obama White House. And yes, it involves climate change. This time, it’s in a difference of opinion with the White House Council on Environmental Quality and its final guidance on considering climate change in environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act. As chairman …
Oklahoma Avoids List of Worst States for Car and Truck Pollution
The Natural Resources Defense Council is out with a report showing which states are worst when it comes to carbon pollution in the U.S. No, Oklahoma is not one of them. But Texas, California, Florida, New York, Illinois and Ohio are. The Council’s report says seven states, California, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia …
Senator Says State Needs to be Ready for Loss of Oil and Gas Revenue
“We need to start thinking and talking about the day when we don’t have oil and gas resources at all.” Sen. David Holt One of the 36 interim studies approved by the State Senate leadership in Oklahoma in the past several days focuses on a long-term strategy for replacing revenue provided by oil and …
SandRidge Sued by South Texas School District in Fight Over Land Values
Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy isn’t alone in being sued by a Texas school district. Add SandRidge Energy to the list of those hauled into court. SandRidge has been sued by the Fort Stockton Independent School District and accused of owing the district more than $500 million, according to the Journal Record. The school district contends …
Environmental Activists Found “Not Guilty” in 2013 Protest at Devon Energy Headquarters
Two environmental activists were acquitted this week on charges stemming from a December 2013 protest demonstration at the Devon Energy headquarters in downtown Oklahoma City. Chief Municipal Court Judge Phillipa James announced not guilty verdicts in favor of Moriah Stephenson and Stefan Warner who had been arrested and charged originally with Terrorism Hoax felonies. The …
Political Spending by Utilities Under Investigation in Arizona
PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona Corporation Commission member who has been seeking documents from the state’s largest electric utility on its possible political spending has hired an attorney to analyze how outside interests may be influencing utility regulators’ decisions. [Commissioner Bob Burns said Tuesday he’s hired attorney Scott Hempling to do the analysis for the …
Senate Interim Studies to Examine Drones, Mining and Tax Issues
Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman approved 36 interim studies on Wednesday. “These interim studies will give Senators the chance to take a more in-depth look at the issues that are important to them and their constituents. The state constitution puts a lot of time constraints on the legislative process, so interim studies are …
Chesapeake Faces Another Royalty Lawsuit in Fort Worth
Weeks after Chesapeake Energy settled hundreds of millions of dollars in royalty lawsuits in Fort Worth, Texas, the company’s been sued by the Mansfield school district. The district, located southeast of Fort Worth accused Chesapeake of sham transactions to cheat it out of more than $1 million from its natural gas leases, according to a …