Energy and Natural Resources

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee, will examine the historic use and impact of water consumption from Oklahoma's underground aquifers. The interim study, IS23-011 is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in Room 206 at the State Capitol, 2300 N Lincoln Blvd. "I want to look at how much water we've consumed from our underground aquifers and how it has been used so that we can determine best practices to preserve this precious resource going forward," Newton said. He explained that in many parts of Oklahoma, there is limited surface water. Farmers, ranchers and other residents and consumers have to rely on these aquifers to provide water for people, animals and crops. "It's important that we be good stewards of our water supply," Newton said. "I'm gathering a team of experts to help guide our discussion."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City, recently was elected to serve as vice chairman of the Center for Legislative Energy and Environmental Research (CLEER). The election came at the Energy Council's annual Global Energy and Environmental Issues Conference held in Little Rock, AR. “It’s an exciting time to be a part of CLEER," Luttrell said. "There are a growing number of states and provinces participating in The Energy Council, and the CLEER Board provides critical input to the Council’s legislators. I am especially excited to serve with longtime friend and CLEER Chairman, Rep Francis Thompson, Louisiana’s longest-serving legislator, with 49 years of elected service. I look forward to continue sharing Oklahoma’s energy solutions, concerns, challenges and policies with other states and bringing their ideas and best practices home to Oklahoma.” The purpose of CLEER is to provide support for the Energy Council, bringing research and publications of energy policy issues to the Council’s attention and sponsoring forums and other opportunities for dialogue on energy and related environmental issues. CLEER’s support addresses energy and environmental questions and helps educate members of the Council with regard to state, national and global energy issues, in order that they may better serve their constituents. It consists of Legislative leaders from 15 energy-producing states and two Canadian provinces. In fiscal year 2023-24, the Energy Council will meet three times to consider local, national and international concerns. Luttrell’s energy-producing House district, which includes parts of Kay and Osage counties, has oil and natural gas exploration and development, wind and coal power generation and Oklahoma’s largest refinery, the Phillips 66 refinery in Ponca City. In the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Luttrell serves as chair of the Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee for Select Agencies and also as a member of the Energy & Natural Resources Committee. 

Rep. John Talley, R-Stillwater, today commented on the news that Southern Rock Energy Partners (SREP) has selected Cushing as the site for a $5.6 billion refinery in Cushing. "The creation of this refinery is a generational gamechanger for Cushing and the surrounding north central Oklahoma community. The economic impact of Southern Rock Energy Partner's new refinery is the most significant development in Cushing's recent history, and I look forward to seeing the future of SREP in Oklahoma. For the past two years, I've worked with the leaders at the Cushing Economic Development Foundation and the City of Cushing to secure this investment, and I want to thank them for their diligent work and support as we deliver for our community." The 250,000 b/d crude refinery will process domestically produced light, sweet shale (WTL and WTC) and light, sweet crudes (WTI) into low carbon transportation fuels by utilizing advanced technologies with a zero-carbon footprint. The refinery project will generate and consume hydrogen as a fuel source, capture and sequester carbon dioxide emissions, generate and consume electricity from waste heat, geothermal, and renewable assets, produce water from waste vapor streams, and recycle and repurpose wastewater. As a result, 95% of greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced or eliminated, water production and consumption will be reduced by 90% with 80% being recycled and repurposed, 100% renewable electricity will be consumed, 98% of fugitive emissions will be eliminated, and the land footprint will be reduced by 65%. Cushing, known as the “Pipeline Crossroads of the World” for crude oil, is home to approximately 100 million barrels of storage in the tank farms surrounding the community. The project, announced Wednesday, is anticipated to create over 400 full-time jobs. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2024 and operations are expected to begin in 2027.