Sen. Burns applauds cancelation of planned hydroelectric plant on Kiamichi River

Senator George Burns Applauds Cancelation of Planned Hydroelectric Plant on Kiamichi River

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 16th) - Senator George Burns, R-Pollard, today applauded the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) decision to halt progress on a controversial pumped storage hydroelectric project proposed on the Kiamichi River in Pushmataha County.

The proposed project by the Southeast Oklahoma Power Corporation (SEOPC), was officially halted after FERC determined that the company’s updated Proposed Study Plan (PSP), submitted on March 17, was still insufficient to proceed with planning. The Commission’s ruling follows widespread public opposition and a formal letter of protest from Sen. Burns in October.

Drummond asks federal commission to deny troubled power plant plan in southeast Oklahoma

Drummond joins Congressman Brecheen and State Senator Burns in opposing the proposed hydroelectric plant on the Kiamichi River.

Drummond asks federal commission to deny troubled power plant plan in southeast Oklahoma 

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 5, 2024) -- Attorney General Gentner Drummond is urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to deny an application from the Southeast Oklahoma Power Corporation (SEOPC) to build a hydroelectric power plant on the Kiamichi River in Pushmataha County.

In a letter sent last week to the FERC, Drummond said SEOPC has provided only limited information to the commission and noted that the corporation has not requested the proper state licenses or permits for the project. The power plant would have a transmission line extending through Pushmataha and McCurtain counties to provide power for Texas.

Drummond said the project appears to be inconsistent with numerous mechanisms in the State’s Water Settlement Agreement with the Choctaw Nation and the Chickasaw Nation that are intended to preserve the flow of the Kiamichi River and protect the region.

“As the chief law officer of the State of Oklahoma, I will not tolerate violation of Oklahoma law or flagrant disregard for the sovereignty or federal law, protected rights of a tribal nation and similarly situated property owners,” wrote the Attorney General in the letter.

SEOPC has indicated it intends to rely on powers of condemnation to acquire private property from Oklahomans to build the power plant.

“Most of the proud Oklahomans who call the Kiamichi region home have lived there for generations,” Drummond wrote. “I intend, as Oklahoma’s Attorney General, to ensure that their private property rights are safeguarded to the full extent of the law.”

Further, Drummond indicated that SEOPC has not considered the implications of its project under federal law including the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act and the Clean Water Act.

Read the full letter to the FERC.

Cong. Brecheen, State Sen. Burns oppose hydroelectric plant with Chinese ties in SE Oklahoma

Congressman Josh Brecheen and State Sen. George Burns are both out with press releases detailing their opposition to a proposed hydroelectric power plant on the Kiamichi River in southeast Oklahoma that would provide power for Texas consumers, with Brecheen noting ties to a Chinese Communist Party-linked individual in the project. Read on for their comments:

Congressman Brecheen Opposes Chinese Communist Party-Linked Hydroelectric Power Plant Project: “We Will Do Everything in Our Power to Prevent this Harmful Project from Moving Forward”

Washington, D.C. (August 14th) – Congressman Josh Brecheen opposes the Southeast Oklahoma Power Corporation’s (SEOPC) attempts to build a hydroelectric power plant on the Kiamichi River in LeFlore and Pushmataha Counties.

SEOPC has ties to a Chinese Communist Party-linked individual and the project would require the eminent domaining of 35,000 acres of Oklahoma land, including many homes, farms, and ranches in the surrounding area that have been owned by Oklahoma families for generations. All the power produced would then be sold in Texas, not Oklahoma.

Senate passes Bullard bill to fund local water, wastewater improvements

Senate passes Bullard bill to fund local water, wastewater improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 11th) – The Oklahoma Senate on Monday passed a bill from Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, that would earmark $125 million for much-needed water and wastewater infrastructure projects in localities across the state.

Senate Bill 1331 directs the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to establish a program to provide loans to municipalities and rural water districts seeking matching funds for water or wastewater improvement projects. The state would provide $125 million in initial funding for the program.

Oklahoman Robert Keyes elected Treasurer of National Groundwater Association

OKLAHOMAN ELECTED TREASURER OF NATIONAL GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (February 5, 2024) -- Groundwater Professional and resident of Norman since 1983, Robert Keyes, has been elected as Treasurer of the National Groundwater Association (NGWA). The NGWA is the largest groundwater association in the world, with more than 10 thousand members across the United States and in 40 countries. 

Bullard bill to help state better monitor medical marijuana industry’s water usage

Bullard bill to help state better monitor medical marijuana industry’s water usage

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 28th) – The Senate Finance Committee approved legislation Monday clarifying that medical marijuana is not an “agricultural product” and therefore does not qualify for the state’s agricultural sales tax exemption. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, said Senate Bill 133 is needed to clarify marijuana’s status and to help the state be able to better track the industry’s water usage.     

State Reps study Medical Marijuana impacts on Counties

Humphrey, Kevin West Study Medical Marijuana Impacts on Counties

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, and Kevin West, R-Moore, on Tuesday held an interim study before the House Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances Committee to discuss the impact to counties from the explosion of medical marijuana, growers, dispensers and users.

"We're following up today on what we saw in other medical marijuana studies and how this is affecting our counties," Humphrey said. "We're looking at what we need to do as a state to improve and do a better job of regulating this new industry."

West said he's heard from numerous constituents about the effect of this industry in his House district, from grow facilities to dispensaries.

"Just like any business," West said, "We have to make sure the business owner is obeying local ordinances and state law. We must ensure public safety and that our county and municipal resources are adequate to handle the demands placed on them."

During the study, lawmakers heard from county commissioners, a county sheriff, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), a district attorney, a county assessor and others who addressed issues from multiple angles.

Congressman Lucas praises new WOTUS rule

Lucas Praises New WOTUS Rule

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) released the following statement commending the Trump Administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army’s finalization of the new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, cutting burdensome regulation for America’s farmers, ranchers, and landowners:

“From the creeks and streams of Western Oklahoma to the dams of the Arkansas River in Tulsa County, today’s announcement by the Trump Administration is welcomed news for all Oklahomans. While continuing to protect millions of miles of our nation’s waterways from pollution and deterioration, the new rule will provide clarity to the EPA’s regulatory framework and will dramatically reduce overburdensome regulation currently felt by farmers, ranchers, small business owners, and landowners.

WOTUS, under the Obama Administration, expanded the role of the federal government under the Clean Water Act from navigable and interstate waters to incorporate ditches, ponds, and streams- regardless of how unnavigable or temporary the water may be. At a time when the federal government should have been cutting burdensome red tape, the Obama Administration instead tied the hands of our nation’s farmers and landowners and subjected them to unprecedented federal overreach and divisive litigation. 

Farmers, ranchers, and landowners of Oklahoma have long been good stewards of their land and the environment. The Trump Administration’s efforts reeling in the scope of the EPA’s regulatory activity back to the original intention of the Clean Water Act not only provides certainty for those who rely on the land to support their families but it also applies a common sense understanding of what constitutes waters of the United States. I commend President Trump and his Administration for keeping their promise to eliminate the previous administration’s rule and for providing a more realistic and certain framework ensuring we have a healthy environment and robust economy.”

Rural Water Advisory

From Muskogee County Rural Water District #3:

Because of high turbidity in the water system and the potential for contamination as a result of this situation, the drinking water supplied by Muskogee County Rural Water District #3 may be unsafe for human consumption.

As a precaution, it is advised that the consumers of the Muskogee County Rural Water District #3 water system bring the water to a full rolling boil for one minute before consumption or use for food preparation.

This advisory will remain in effect until further notice. Questions concerning this situation should be addressed to Everett Staton: 617-2474.

This advisory was issued earlier this afternoon.