As Amelia Benavides-Colón reported, Governor Kevin Stitt found himself in the unusual position this week of publicly rebuking President Donald Trump’s administration over energy policy, telling a Washington audience that canceling wind projects is disappointing and looks purely political.
Speaking at a Semafor event on permitting reform, Stitt specifically called out the Trump administration’s decision to halt a wind project in Rhode Island that was nearly complete. The state’s approach to wind energy matters because Oklahoma ranks third nationally in wind production, and the governor has consistently championed what he calls a more-of-everything energy strategy.
Stitt’s criticism came just as a federal judge in Massachusetts struck down Trump’s day-one executive order blocking wind energy projects. Judge Patti Saris ruled the order arbitrary and capricious, siding with 17 states that challenged the directive. The order had frozen all new wind leases and permits and directed a review of existing projects.
The timing puts Stitt at odds with his own party on an issue where Oklahoma has significant economic interests. State lawmakers have increasingly pushed back against renewable energy development, but the governor has resisted calls for moratoriums, arguing that commissioners managing school trust lands have a duty to maximize revenue regardless of energy source.
Stitt said he’s raised those concerns directly with Energy Secretary Chris Wright, emphasizing that energy policy shouldn’t swing wildly with each administration. The fundamental tension: Oklahoma profits handsomely from wind energy, but many Republicans now view renewable projects with deep suspicion.
The court ruling may be temporary if the Trump administration appeals, but it signals that executive power to disrupt established industries has limits.
More worth reading:
Oklahoma Ratepayers Face Data Center Power Costs
A wave of big data centers is triggering a scramble for new electricity generation. OG&E and PSO are pushing to charge ratepayers more as they race to keep up. [The Frontier]
OKC BLM Director Charged With Embezzlement
The executive director of Black Lives Matter OKC has been accused in a federal indictment of embezzling more than $3 million in funds meant for social justice causes. Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson, 52, was released Dec. 11 on conditions after making her first appearance in Oklahoma City federal court. [The Oklahoman ▲]
Blackburn to Lead Tourism Dept.
Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed a new head of the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation. Amy Blackburn, who served as Oklahoma Department of Commerce marketing and communications division director, will become the latest executive director of the agency. Sterling Zearley, the current executive director, will remain with the agency in an advisory role to support the leadership transition. [Oklahoma Voice]
Independents Cut Out of Dem Primaries
An apparent communications failure will likely cost independent voters the ability to participate in Oklahoma’s Democratic primary elections for the next two years. Independents, who constitute about one-fifth of the state’s registered voters, have always been barred from Oklahoma’s Republican and Libertarian primaries, but the Democratic Party has allowed them in recent election cycles. [Tulsa World ▲] [Oklahoma Voice]
▲=Possible paywall
The building that houses Guthrie’s Pollard Theatre was built in 1901 as a furniture store and funeral parlor.
Ciao for now,
Ted Streuli
Executive Director, Oklahoma Watch
tstreuli@oklahomawatch.org
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