In The News
Oklahoman: Deer Creek Grove Valley school gains wetlands
Thursday April 28, 2011
It's hard work relocating a wetlands, students at Deer Creek Grove Valley Elementary School learned recently.
"They watered the soil but not enough," said fifth-grader Sarah Crain, 11. "The holes were very hard to dig."
Sarah and other third- through fifth-graders at the school helped plant native grasses and underwater plants last week in the school's new 3-acre wetlands outdoor classroom.
Fellow fifth-grader Shubhan Gulati, 10, said the work was sweaty, but rewarding.
"We will have teaching posts where students can fish or hold science classes," he said. "They can test water levels and look for organisms or chemicals.
"It is so fun to have a wetlands. Not many people get to go and see one in their life, and we have one at our school."
The project is in partnership with Tinker Air Force Base and other state and community agencies who worked alongside students at Friday's ribbon-cutting and planting.
"They watered the soil but not enough," said fifth-grader Sarah Crain, 11. "The holes were very hard to dig."
Sarah and other third- through fifth-graders at the school helped plant native grasses and underwater plants last week in the school's new 3-acre wetlands outdoor classroom.
Fellow fifth-grader Shubhan Gulati, 10, said the work was sweaty, but rewarding.
"We will have teaching posts where students can fish or hold science classes," he said. "They can test water levels and look for organisms or chemicals.
"It is so fun to have a wetlands. Not many people get to go and see one in their life, and we have one at our school."
The project is in partnership with Tinker Air Force Base and other state and community agencies who worked alongside students at Friday's ribbon-cutting and planting.
Tulsa World: EPA water proposal draws opposition from Inhofe, Lucas
Thursday April 28, 2011
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe warned Wednesday that the Obama administration's newly proposed clean-water guidance shows it wants to put every body of water, no matter how insignificant, under the authority of the federal government.
Given how broadly the proposal would reach throughout the economy, the Oklahoma Republican vowed to have the Senate vote on it.
"This guidance document further shifts the balance of regulatory authority away from states to the federal bureaucracy,'' Inhofe said.
Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., agreed, warning that despite its claim that the guidance is nonbinding, the administration's approach would lead to an intrusion of individual and states' rights.
Lucas, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, warned the proposed guidance could end up covering even farm ponds and ditches.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson discussed the proposal in a teleconference call with reporters, along with Nancy Sutley, head of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy.
Given how broadly the proposal would reach throughout the economy, the Oklahoma Republican vowed to have the Senate vote on it.
"This guidance document further shifts the balance of regulatory authority away from states to the federal bureaucracy,'' Inhofe said.
Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., agreed, warning that despite its claim that the guidance is nonbinding, the administration's approach would lead to an intrusion of individual and states' rights.
Lucas, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, warned the proposed guidance could end up covering even farm ponds and ditches.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson discussed the proposal in a teleconference call with reporters, along with Nancy Sutley, head of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy.
Oklahoma Delegation Responds to Obama's Energy Policy of Tax Increases
Wednesday April 27, 2011
Senator Inhofe is pleased to stand with the Oklahoma Congressional delegation in opposition to President Obama's efforts to impose tax increases on the oil and gas industry that would hurt small, independent oil and gas companies, put thousands of jobs at risk, and increase the cost of gasoline for every American. Below are excerpts from the Tulsa World and the Oklahoman reporting today on the delegation's reaction to Obama's plan:
- Democratic U.S. Rep. Dan Boren said Obama just needs to be quiet. "Americans are tired of empty rhetoric on both sides and want a real plan,'' Boren said."If the president doesn't want to stand up and be a leader, then his silence would be appreciated from people who are trying to find solutions.'' Boren described Obama as completely uninformed about the oil and gas industry. "The industry is not made up of just major companies,'' he said. "It is made up of small independent firms like those in Oklahoma that produce a vast majority of our domestic production.'' For every CEO of a major company, Boren said, there are thousands of blue-collar jobs that are affected by the Obama administration's energy policy. "It is a policy that is very inadequate and has left so many on the Gulf Coast unemployed.'' Boren said. Tulsa World
- "President Barack Obama encouraged congressional leaders Tuesday to abolish "wasteful subsidies" to the oil and gas industry, but Rep. Tom Cole said the president "doesn't know squat about energy production." Obama, who has been trying since 2009 to eliminate some tax deductions for oil and gas producers, sent a letter to the Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress, urging them to steer the money instead to clean energy investments that would reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil... Cole, R-Moore, said Obama was "trying to score political points." "We get great politics out of the White House," Cole said. "We just don't get great policy." The White House wouldn't understand the difference between Exxon-Mobil and a small independent producer in Madill, he said. But Cole said eliminating long-standing tax provisions, such as deductions for intangible drilling costs and percentage depletion of reserves, would hurt independent producers and result in the shutdown of wells that produce small amounts of oil. Oklahoman
- Republican Rep. John Sullivan: "Targeting the oil and gas industry with tax increases would not only raise gas prices even higher, but it would place hundreds of thousands of Oklahoma jobs in jeopardy of being eliminated or shipped overseas,'' Sullivan said. Sullivan pointed out that the oil and gas industry employs more than 300,000 people in Oklahoma and 9.2 million nationwide, who pay almost $100 million per day in taxes to the federal government. Tulsa World
- The Senate last June voted 61 to 35 against an amendment containing Obama's proposals for eliminating tax provisions that benefit oil and gas companies. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, who led the debate against that amendment, said Tuesday that Obama apparently forgot the outcome of that vote. "He now wants Congress to do exactly the opposite," Inhofe said. "His letter is merely a distraction from what every American knows can help restrain rising prices: increase supply, that is, increase American energy production." Oklahoman
- Democratic U.S. Rep. Dan Boren said Obama just needs to be quiet. "Americans are tired of empty rhetoric on both sides and want a real plan,'' Boren said."If the president doesn't want to stand up and be a leader, then his silence would be appreciated from people who are trying to find solutions.'' Boren described Obama as completely uninformed about the oil and gas industry. "The industry is not made up of just major companies,'' he said. "It is made up of small independent firms like those in Oklahoma that produce a vast majority of our domestic production.'' For every CEO of a major company, Boren said, there are thousands of blue-collar jobs that are affected by the Obama administration's energy policy. "It is a policy that is very inadequate and has left so many on the Gulf Coast unemployed.'' Boren said. Tulsa World
- "President Barack Obama encouraged congressional leaders Tuesday to abolish "wasteful subsidies" to the oil and gas industry, but Rep. Tom Cole said the president "doesn't know squat about energy production." Obama, who has been trying since 2009 to eliminate some tax deductions for oil and gas producers, sent a letter to the Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress, urging them to steer the money instead to clean energy investments that would reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil... Cole, R-Moore, said Obama was "trying to score political points." "We get great politics out of the White House," Cole said. "We just don't get great policy." The White House wouldn't understand the difference between Exxon-Mobil and a small independent producer in Madill, he said. But Cole said eliminating long-standing tax provisions, such as deductions for intangible drilling costs and percentage depletion of reserves, would hurt independent producers and result in the shutdown of wells that produce small amounts of oil. Oklahoman
- Republican Rep. John Sullivan: "Targeting the oil and gas industry with tax increases would not only raise gas prices even higher, but it would place hundreds of thousands of Oklahoma jobs in jeopardy of being eliminated or shipped overseas,'' Sullivan said. Sullivan pointed out that the oil and gas industry employs more than 300,000 people in Oklahoma and 9.2 million nationwide, who pay almost $100 million per day in taxes to the federal government. Tulsa World
- The Senate last June voted 61 to 35 against an amendment containing Obama's proposals for eliminating tax provisions that benefit oil and gas companies. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, who led the debate against that amendment, said Tuesday that Obama apparently forgot the outcome of that vote. "He now wants Congress to do exactly the opposite," Inhofe said. "His letter is merely a distraction from what every American knows can help restrain rising prices: increase supply, that is, increase American energy production." Oklahoman
Oklahoman Editorial: For ODOT director, some federal laws difficult to swallow
Tuesday April 26, 2011
As head of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Gary Ridley has made it a point not to wade into political battles. He didn't take a public stand on a proposed gasoline tax several years ago that would have benefited ODOT, and he stayed out of the fray last year over an education funding proposal that, if approved, would have adversely affected his agency and others.
Because state and federal politicians wield the clout to help ODOT, or not, it's in Ridley's interests to get along with them as best he can. He has done this exceedingly well during his many years in charge, earning their respect as an honorable man whose overarching interests are to maintain and improve Oklahoma's roads and bridges.
So Ridley's recent appearance before Congress, where he criticized the policies of some federal agencies, is notable. Among other things he made his displeasure known about the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to toughen air-quality standards, and said the Federal Highway Administration "is running amok," citing changes that he said will keep states from using "sound engineering judgment."
Afterward he talked some more about the nuttiness that stems from Washington, D.C., using as an example a federal law regarding a particular swallow that nests under man-made objects - such as highway bridges. Last year, Ridley said, painting work a bridge in Ellis County had to be delayed until swallows that were nesting underneath it had departed. The cost of the delay: close to $28,000.
Because state and federal politicians wield the clout to help ODOT, or not, it's in Ridley's interests to get along with them as best he can. He has done this exceedingly well during his many years in charge, earning their respect as an honorable man whose overarching interests are to maintain and improve Oklahoma's roads and bridges.
So Ridley's recent appearance before Congress, where he criticized the policies of some federal agencies, is notable. Among other things he made his displeasure known about the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to toughen air-quality standards, and said the Federal Highway Administration "is running amok," citing changes that he said will keep states from using "sound engineering judgment."
Afterward he talked some more about the nuttiness that stems from Washington, D.C., using as an example a federal law regarding a particular swallow that nests under man-made objects - such as highway bridges. Last year, Ridley said, painting work a bridge in Ellis County had to be delayed until swallows that were nesting underneath it had departed. The cost of the delay: close to $28,000.
Murkowski Op Ed: Setting the record straight on Americas oil (Washington Post)
Friday April 22, 2011
With gasoline prices in many areas above $4 a gallon, energy concerns are once again making headlines. Prices have more than doubled since the start of 2009 and are projected to remain at excruciating levels for the foreseeable future.
We know from experience that high energy prices harm American families and businesses. Aside from pain at the pump, it's harder to balance budgets or even buy groceries when transportation costs soar. Many experts have concluded that if prices remain high, economic growth will languish. At stake is our fragile recovery from the recent recession.
High energy prices therefore demand a strong policy response. For years, however, federal lawmakers have routinely ignored the supply side of the equation and the fact that - if we chose to - we could absolutely produce more oil here in America.
For that reason, I welcomed President Obama's recent pledge to increase domestic production. It was a big step, and I hope his administration heeds the message. But I'm also deeply concerned by some of the information presented about America's energy potential. Left unchallenged, it will contribute to a mistaken belief that increased domestic production is not truly possible.
We know from experience that high energy prices harm American families and businesses. Aside from pain at the pump, it's harder to balance budgets or even buy groceries when transportation costs soar. Many experts have concluded that if prices remain high, economic growth will languish. At stake is our fragile recovery from the recent recession.
High energy prices therefore demand a strong policy response. For years, however, federal lawmakers have routinely ignored the supply side of the equation and the fact that - if we chose to - we could absolutely produce more oil here in America.
For that reason, I welcomed President Obama's recent pledge to increase domestic production. It was a big step, and I hope his administration heeds the message. But I'm also deeply concerned by some of the information presented about America's energy potential. Left unchallenged, it will contribute to a mistaken belief that increased domestic production is not truly possible.
POLITICO Pro: Obama blames gas prices for poll numbers
Friday April 22, 2011
President Barack Obama is pointing to high gasoline prices for his sagging poll numbers.
"My poll numbers go up and down depending on the latest crisis and right now gas prices are weighing heavily on people," Obama said at a Los Angeles fundraiser Thursday night.
The latest Gallup tracking poll gives the president a 43 percent approval rating and a 49 percent disapproval rating.
Obama added that he thinks people are too busy to be paying attention to what's happening inside the Beltway. "If I wasn't professionally in this, I wouldn't be following all of these debates in Washington," he said, according to the pool report.
"My poll numbers go up and down depending on the latest crisis and right now gas prices are weighing heavily on people," Obama said at a Los Angeles fundraiser Thursday night.
The latest Gallup tracking poll gives the president a 43 percent approval rating and a 49 percent disapproval rating.
Obama added that he thinks people are too busy to be paying attention to what's happening inside the Beltway. "If I wasn't professionally in this, I wouldn't be following all of these debates in Washington," he said, according to the pool report.
Inhofe: We should learn from Fukushima, not prevent nuclear development
Thursday April 21, 2011
In March, Japan suffered from a devastating earthquake followed thereafter by a massive tsunami. In its aftermath, the world witnessed a nuclear accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
This accident left many Oklahomans wondering: What does this accident mean for them? What is the role of nuclear energy in the U.S.? What is our response to the accident?
First, our thoughts and prayers are with the Japanese people. We will continue to stand with them throughout the response and provide assistance as they struggle to recover.
I agree with the Obama administration that our nuclear plants are indeed safe and that we should continue to develop new nuclear plants. Reactors built in the U.S. are robust and designed to withstand significant natural disasters, including earthquakes, tornados and hurricanes. Two operating nuclear plants in California can withstand the impacts of an earthquake greater than the one in Japan, and, closer to home, the Wolf Creek nuclear plant in southeastern Kansas can weather an EF5 tornado with over 360 mph winds. All of our reactors are constructed according to a "defense-in-depth" approach, with multiple, independent safety systems in place so that if one safety system breaks down there are several backups.
This accident left many Oklahomans wondering: What does this accident mean for them? What is the role of nuclear energy in the U.S.? What is our response to the accident?
First, our thoughts and prayers are with the Japanese people. We will continue to stand with them throughout the response and provide assistance as they struggle to recover.
I agree with the Obama administration that our nuclear plants are indeed safe and that we should continue to develop new nuclear plants. Reactors built in the U.S. are robust and designed to withstand significant natural disasters, including earthquakes, tornados and hurricanes. Two operating nuclear plants in California can withstand the impacts of an earthquake greater than the one in Japan, and, closer to home, the Wolf Creek nuclear plant in southeastern Kansas can weather an EF5 tornado with over 360 mph winds. All of our reactors are constructed according to a "defense-in-depth" approach, with multiple, independent safety systems in place so that if one safety system breaks down there are several backups.
Listen: Inhofe on Gas Prices and Obama Hydraulic Fracturing Comments
Kilmeade and Friends Radio Show with Guest Host Steve Doocy
Thursday April 21, 2011
Posted by Matt Dempsey Matt_Dempsey@epw.senate.gov
Tulsa World: Inhofe: Obama wants to kill off natural gas industry
Tuesday April 19, 2011
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe accused President Barack Obama on Tuesday of trying to kill off the natural gas industry, citing the president's comment that natural gas extraction must not poison people.
"Those are the magic words,'' the Oklahoma Republican said.
Inhofe said other industry supporters who believed that Obama's previous comments about the potential role of natural gas were a sign he could be won over will realize now that the president has a strategy to do away with natural gas.
"The chickens have come home to roost,'' he said.
What triggered the senator's warning were the president's comments during a town hall meeting earlier in the day in northern Virginia.
"Those are the magic words,'' the Oklahoma Republican said.
Inhofe said other industry supporters who believed that Obama's previous comments about the potential role of natural gas were a sign he could be won over will realize now that the president has a strategy to do away with natural gas.
"The chickens have come home to roost,'' he said.
What triggered the senator's warning were the president's comments during a town hall meeting earlier in the day in northern Virginia.
IBD Editorial: EPA: Jobs Don't Matter
Tuesday April 19, 2011
Jobs: The EPA admits to Congress that it does not take into account the impact of its regulations on employment, the economy or international competitiveness. Neither, apparently, does the White House.
This stunning revelation was made by EPA Administrator Mathy Stanislaus in response to a question by Colorado GOP Rep. Cory Gardner. It came during Stanislaus' testimony before the House Environment and Energy Committee on Thursday and exposes the Obama administration's public posture on jobs and the environment as a fraud.
Gardner was asking about an EPA regulation that would govern industries that recycle coal and ash and other fossil fuel byproducts. Recycling is a good thing. Recycled coal ash makes concrete stronger, wallboard more durable and the shingles on your roof longer-lasting.
This stunning revelation was made by EPA Administrator Mathy Stanislaus in response to a question by Colorado GOP Rep. Cory Gardner. It came during Stanislaus' testimony before the House Environment and Energy Committee on Thursday and exposes the Obama administration's public posture on jobs and the environment as a fraud.
Gardner was asking about an EPA regulation that would govern industries that recycle coal and ash and other fossil fuel byproducts. Recycling is a good thing. Recycled coal ash makes concrete stronger, wallboard more durable and the shingles on your roof longer-lasting.
