LUBBOCK, Texas — A little prairie grouse could give the wind energy industry big fits in Texas, Oklahoma and three other states.
Should the lesser prairie chicken become listed as threatened or endangered — and it’s close now — there would be significant restrictions on companies hoping to plant towering turbines across a five-state region believed to have some of the nation’s best wind energy potential.
"We’ve never seen the likes of this,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wildlife biologist Heather Whitlaw, who is part of conservation efforts with the other states and believes the bird could be listed within two years. "Anybody who puts anything on our landscape would be evaluated in one form or another.”
Scientists believe the prairie chicken population has dropped 80 percent nationally since 1963, the result of habitat loss and fragmentation, population isolation, drought and changes in land usage.
They once numbered about 3 million across an area that stretches through eastern New Mexico, eastern Colorado, western Kansas, northwest Oklahoma, and in parts of the Texas Panhandle and South Plains. Estimates show their population now at about 30,000.
The birds’ habitat could shrink further beginning in September when 1.3 million acres in the five-state area come out of a federal land conservation program started about 25 years ago. Farmers and ranchers may then use the land as they wish — which could include crop cultivation that would eliminate more of the bird’s breeding and nesting grounds.
Their habitats also lie in areas with plentiful and strong wind resources — where energy companies are eager to build.
The companies, which have been criticized before over the number of birds and bats killed by flying into the blades of wind turbines, are being more careful about where they put wind farms, said Laurie Jodziewicz, a spokeswoman for the American Wind Energy Association.
A tall threat
For the lesser prairie chicken, it’s not about the blades — it’s about size.
The shortflight bird, which weighs about 400 grams, has an aversion to tall structures around its breeding and nesting grounds because its predators include raptors who perch in high places awaiting their opportunity.
For about five years the wind industry generally has not heeded a 2004 recommendation from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asking companies not to put turbines within 5 miles of a lek, the lesser prairie chickens’ breeding grounds. The American Wind Energy Association has asked for the scientific basis of the 5-mile limit.
"We still have not seen anything that looked at prairie grouse and leks and wind turbines,” Jodziewicz said. "I don’t know that (any wind company) is” looking at the 5-mile limit.
The lesser prairie chicken should have been listed as threatened or endangered 10 years ago, said Mark Salvo with the Sante Fe, N.M.-based group WildEarth Guardians, which filed a listing petition for it in the mid-1990s.
Restoring the prairie chicken population "will be much more difficult now” even if it is listed, he said. Moreover, as developers "slice and dice the habitat into ever smaller spaces,” Salvo said, other plants and animals that depend on that kind of habitat also will suffer.
"It’s already a relatively small landscape and it’s getting smaller,” he said. "We are in an emergency situation here.”
by the associated press
AdBrite
AdBrite
Showing posts with label Oklahoma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oklahoma. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Senators from Oklahoma , oppose ‘clunkers’ extension
WASHINGTON — Oklahoma’s senators said Tuesday that they oppose extending the government’s Cash for Clunkers program.
Sen. Jim Inhofe called it a "regressive tax.”
Inhofe and Sen. Tom Coburn, both Republicans, criticized the program on the same day Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the Senate will vote this week on adding $2 billion to the $1 billion already spent. Reid, D-Nev., said there are enough votes to approve the program’s extension.
The House last week overwhelmingly approved the extension, directing that money be taken from stimulus funds.
Inhofe said Tuesday, "On the surface, the Cash for Clunkers program may seem like a good idea. However, closer examination highlights why government should not get into the business of running businesses. It just doesn’t work.”
Steve Rankin, president of the Oklahoma Automobile Dealers Association, said Monday that the program — which offers rebates up to $4,500 for trading in used cars and sport utility vehicles for vehicles that get better mileage — had generated a lot of interest, along with a lot of headaches.
"Our main concern now is just that (dealers) get paid” for the cars they’ve sold through the program, Rankin said.
Dealers have had serious problems trying to process their sales on the government Web site, Rankin said. He said the office manager for one car dealer had worked through the night this past weekend trying to process the 60 sales made through the program and was able to complete only two.
"It’s a laborious process,” Rankin said. "It’s hard to get through.”
Rankin said many dealers had invested advertising money connected to the program, on top of the price reductions they had made in anticipating the government payments. Now, he said, they’re worried about getting their reimbursements.
Though the program has drawn praise from the National Automobile Dealers Association and many lawmakers for moving cars off of dealer lots, Inhofe cited estimates that only 50,000 cars had been sold that wouldn’t have otherwise.
"That means that taxpayers have spent $20,000 for each additional sale,” said Inhofe, of Tulsa. "The program simply feeds the myth that the government offers something for nothing when in reality, the program acts as a regressive tax. By mandating that dealers destroy perfectly good cars that are traded in, the used car market has less supply, meaning higher costs. This means that many Americans who, even with the government incentive, cannot afford to purchase a new car will end up being charged more when trying to purchase a used car. This program should be ended, not extended.”
Coburn said farmers were going to their barns to get pickups to trade in through the program.
"Americans aren’t stupid,” he said.
But he said Congress didn’t have the money to fund the program.
"We’re going to steal it from our children,” said Coburn, of Muskogee.
Coburn spokesman John Hart said the senator hopes to be able to offer amendments to the $2 billion extension "dealing with the cost and the structure of the program.”
from the oklahoma
Sen. Jim Inhofe called it a "regressive tax.”
Inhofe and Sen. Tom Coburn, both Republicans, criticized the program on the same day Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the Senate will vote this week on adding $2 billion to the $1 billion already spent. Reid, D-Nev., said there are enough votes to approve the program’s extension.
The House last week overwhelmingly approved the extension, directing that money be taken from stimulus funds.
Inhofe said Tuesday, "On the surface, the Cash for Clunkers program may seem like a good idea. However, closer examination highlights why government should not get into the business of running businesses. It just doesn’t work.”
Steve Rankin, president of the Oklahoma Automobile Dealers Association, said Monday that the program — which offers rebates up to $4,500 for trading in used cars and sport utility vehicles for vehicles that get better mileage — had generated a lot of interest, along with a lot of headaches.
"Our main concern now is just that (dealers) get paid” for the cars they’ve sold through the program, Rankin said.
Dealers have had serious problems trying to process their sales on the government Web site, Rankin said. He said the office manager for one car dealer had worked through the night this past weekend trying to process the 60 sales made through the program and was able to complete only two.
"It’s a laborious process,” Rankin said. "It’s hard to get through.”
Rankin said many dealers had invested advertising money connected to the program, on top of the price reductions they had made in anticipating the government payments. Now, he said, they’re worried about getting their reimbursements.
Though the program has drawn praise from the National Automobile Dealers Association and many lawmakers for moving cars off of dealer lots, Inhofe cited estimates that only 50,000 cars had been sold that wouldn’t have otherwise.
"That means that taxpayers have spent $20,000 for each additional sale,” said Inhofe, of Tulsa. "The program simply feeds the myth that the government offers something for nothing when in reality, the program acts as a regressive tax. By mandating that dealers destroy perfectly good cars that are traded in, the used car market has less supply, meaning higher costs. This means that many Americans who, even with the government incentive, cannot afford to purchase a new car will end up being charged more when trying to purchase a used car. This program should be ended, not extended.”
Coburn said farmers were going to their barns to get pickups to trade in through the program.
"Americans aren’t stupid,” he said.
But he said Congress didn’t have the money to fund the program.
"We’re going to steal it from our children,” said Coburn, of Muskogee.
Coburn spokesman John Hart said the senator hopes to be able to offer amendments to the $2 billion extension "dealing with the cost and the structure of the program.”
from the oklahoma
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Oklahomans at near bottom
WASHINGTON — About 58 percent of Oklahomans age 3 or older lived in a household with Internet access in 2007 — one of the lowest rates in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Nationally, slightly more than 67 percent of people lived in homes with Internet access in 2007, the report states. New Hampshire, with a rate of 82.6, and Alaska, at 78.5, topped the list in homes with Internet access.
Only Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and West Virginia had a lower rate than Oklahoma of people age 3 or older living in homes with Internet access. Mississippi had the lowest rate, 52.8 percent.
The report states about 1.9 million Oklahomans age 3 or older lived in a home with Internet access in 2007. There were about 3.3 million Oklahomans age 3 or older in 2007.
The report states 57.6 percent of Oklahomans age 3 or older accessed the Internet from some place in 2007 — either home, work or a public place.
That rate also was well below the national rate of 62.4 percent and among the lowest in the nation; there were eight states, including Texas, with lower rates than Oklahoma’s.
According to the report, Americans with more education used the Internet more than others.
The study states 69 percent of whites in the nation lived in households with Internet use, 73 percent of Asians did, 51 percent of blacks did and 48 percent of Hispanics did.
About 73 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 34 accessed the Internet in 2007, compared with 35 percent of the people 65 and older.
About 56 percent of children between ages 3 and 17 used the Internet in 2007, the report stated.
Internet usage jumped dramatically in a 10-year period, the Census Bureau found.
In 1997, only 22 percent of those 18 and older used the Internet from any location.
In 2007, 64 percent of people 18 and older used the Internet.
Of those using the Internet in 2007, 82 percent used a high-speed connection, while 17 percent used dial-up.
by the associated press
Nationally, slightly more than 67 percent of people lived in homes with Internet access in 2007, the report states. New Hampshire, with a rate of 82.6, and Alaska, at 78.5, topped the list in homes with Internet access.
Only Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and West Virginia had a lower rate than Oklahoma of people age 3 or older living in homes with Internet access. Mississippi had the lowest rate, 52.8 percent.
The report states about 1.9 million Oklahomans age 3 or older lived in a home with Internet access in 2007. There were about 3.3 million Oklahomans age 3 or older in 2007.
The report states 57.6 percent of Oklahomans age 3 or older accessed the Internet from some place in 2007 — either home, work or a public place.
That rate also was well below the national rate of 62.4 percent and among the lowest in the nation; there were eight states, including Texas, with lower rates than Oklahoma’s.
According to the report, Americans with more education used the Internet more than others.
The study states 69 percent of whites in the nation lived in households with Internet use, 73 percent of Asians did, 51 percent of blacks did and 48 percent of Hispanics did.
About 73 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 34 accessed the Internet in 2007, compared with 35 percent of the people 65 and older.
About 56 percent of children between ages 3 and 17 used the Internet in 2007, the report stated.
Internet usage jumped dramatically in a 10-year period, the Census Bureau found.
In 1997, only 22 percent of those 18 and older used the Internet from any location.
In 2007, 64 percent of people 18 and older used the Internet.
Of those using the Internet in 2007, 82 percent used a high-speed connection, while 17 percent used dial-up.
by the associated press
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Coyote Ugly , New Bricktown Saloon
Construction is nearing completion and auditions are scheduled for next month as the Coyote Ugly Saloon prepares to bring its dancing bartenders to Bricktown.
The bar at 121 E California along the Bricktown Canal joins the recently opened Michael Murphy’s Dueling Pianos as the entertainment mix continues to evolve in the century-old warehouse district.
Saloon founder Liliana "Lil” Lovell, who had been featured in a series of reality shows overseeing auditions of attractive female bartenders who dance on bar tops, will be interviewing Bricktown employees June 13 and 14.
"Oklahoma City is a great fit for Coyote Ugly,” Lovell said. "Bricktown has been on our radar for a while now. With the arrival of the Thunder professional basketball team though, we felt the time was right. I look forward to many great years in Oklahoma City.”
Lee Killingsworth, head of marketing for the saloon, said the chain sees a lot of similarities between the location in Bricktown and a saloon along the RiverWalk in San Antonio.
We really like that one a lot,” Killingsworth said. "We look at cities with more than 1 million people, and I really do specifically target entertainment districts.”
The bar was set to open in March, but Killingsworth said the project ran into delays because of licensing requirements. The bar is set to open June 24.
A tour of the bar area Tuesday revealed construction is almost complete. A gift shop area is at the canal entrance, while the saloon’s trademark long bar top is already in place. A second-floor bar area also is in place for busy nights and special bookings.
The entire former digs of J. Frank’s Bar was gutted, and even the bathrooms were rebuilt so they could be handicap accessible.
Killingsworth said the saloon will be open seven days a week, usually from about 5 p.m. until 2 a.m.
Bricktown Association Director Jim Cowan said the piano bar is already a "smashing success” and he looks forward to Coyote Ugly expanding the district’s bar scene beyond dance clubs for 20-somethings.
"It’s always a positive to have a national tenant move into Bricktown,” Cowan said. "And it will help us add to the entertainment mix so that Bricktown has something to do no matter what your age is.”
The bar at 121 E California along the Bricktown Canal joins the recently opened Michael Murphy’s Dueling Pianos as the entertainment mix continues to evolve in the century-old warehouse district.
Saloon founder Liliana "Lil” Lovell, who had been featured in a series of reality shows overseeing auditions of attractive female bartenders who dance on bar tops, will be interviewing Bricktown employees June 13 and 14.
"Oklahoma City is a great fit for Coyote Ugly,” Lovell said. "Bricktown has been on our radar for a while now. With the arrival of the Thunder professional basketball team though, we felt the time was right. I look forward to many great years in Oklahoma City.”
Lee Killingsworth, head of marketing for the saloon, said the chain sees a lot of similarities between the location in Bricktown and a saloon along the RiverWalk in San Antonio.
We really like that one a lot,” Killingsworth said. "We look at cities with more than 1 million people, and I really do specifically target entertainment districts.”
The bar was set to open in March, but Killingsworth said the project ran into delays because of licensing requirements. The bar is set to open June 24.
A tour of the bar area Tuesday revealed construction is almost complete. A gift shop area is at the canal entrance, while the saloon’s trademark long bar top is already in place. A second-floor bar area also is in place for busy nights and special bookings.
The entire former digs of J. Frank’s Bar was gutted, and even the bathrooms were rebuilt so they could be handicap accessible.
Killingsworth said the saloon will be open seven days a week, usually from about 5 p.m. until 2 a.m.
Bricktown Association Director Jim Cowan said the piano bar is already a "smashing success” and he looks forward to Coyote Ugly expanding the district’s bar scene beyond dance clubs for 20-somethings.
"It’s always a positive to have a national tenant move into Bricktown,” Cowan said. "And it will help us add to the entertainment mix so that Bricktown has something to do no matter what your age is.”
from the oklahoman
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Oklahoma mall owner’s bankruptcy
NEW YORK — A group of lenders accused shopping mall operator General Growth Properties of including eight properties in its bankruptcy filing — including one in Oklahoma — that do not need protection from the courts.
The shopping centers, including the Tucson Mall in Arizona and the Stonestown Mall in San Francisco, are financially stable and do not need to be rehabilitated through a Chapter 11 reorganization, according to a filing made Monday by ING Clarion Capital Loan Services LLC, a loan administrator.
General Growth filed last month for the largest U.S. real estate bankruptcy case in history. The trust has $27 billion in debts.
The malls in question are in San Francisco, Bakersfield, and Visalia, Calif.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Lancaster, Pa.; Tucson, Ariz.; Bartlesville, Okla.; and Murray, Utah.
General Growth Properties Inc. spokesman David Keating said he had no comment because he had not yet seen ING’s request.
by the assoiated press
The shopping centers, including the Tucson Mall in Arizona and the Stonestown Mall in San Francisco, are financially stable and do not need to be rehabilitated through a Chapter 11 reorganization, according to a filing made Monday by ING Clarion Capital Loan Services LLC, a loan administrator.
General Growth filed last month for the largest U.S. real estate bankruptcy case in history. The trust has $27 billion in debts.
The malls in question are in San Francisco, Bakersfield, and Visalia, Calif.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Lancaster, Pa.; Tucson, Ariz.; Bartlesville, Okla.; and Murray, Utah.
General Growth Properties Inc. spokesman David Keating said he had no comment because he had not yet seen ING’s request.
by the assoiated press
Monday, April 20, 2009
Oklahoma Firm reaches for Saturn
DETROIT — An Oklahoma City private equity firm has teamed with a group of Saturn dealers in an effort to buy the money-losing brand from General Motors Corp.
The proposal from a group led by Black Oak Partners LLC is among several that GM has received for the brand, GM spokesman Mike Morrissey said.
"We are working with all those groups,” Morrissey said. "It’s too early to speculate as to what the ultimate outcome is going to be.”
Jennifer Threet, a spokeswoman for the Black Oak group, said it delivered a proposal to GM last week and is awaiting a formal meeting.
The group said in a statement Wednesday that it would get vehicles from GM initially, but it expects to sell smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles from global manufacturers.
Sheldon Sandler, managing director of Bel Air Partners, a New Jersey-based firm that helps car dealers find options when they want out of the business, said it’s tough to evaluate Black Oak’s offer without knowing what kind of commitment and resources it would be willing to put into Saturn.
But Sandler said that such a deal would create something new, because an independent company would be telling manufacturers what to make for its dealerships. "It’s upside down from what the traditional distribution process looked like,” Sandler said. "I think it’s exciting.”
In a statement, the Black Oak group said it would form a new Saturn Distribution Co. that would keep a vehicle design function but will not manufacture vehicles.
Designers would help other automakers tailor their products to Saturn’s style and customer needs and be sold in most cases under the Saturn brand, the statement said.
by the associated press
The proposal from a group led by Black Oak Partners LLC is among several that GM has received for the brand, GM spokesman Mike Morrissey said.
"We are working with all those groups,” Morrissey said. "It’s too early to speculate as to what the ultimate outcome is going to be.”
Jennifer Threet, a spokeswoman for the Black Oak group, said it delivered a proposal to GM last week and is awaiting a formal meeting.
The group said in a statement Wednesday that it would get vehicles from GM initially, but it expects to sell smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles from global manufacturers.
Sheldon Sandler, managing director of Bel Air Partners, a New Jersey-based firm that helps car dealers find options when they want out of the business, said it’s tough to evaluate Black Oak’s offer without knowing what kind of commitment and resources it would be willing to put into Saturn.
But Sandler said that such a deal would create something new, because an independent company would be telling manufacturers what to make for its dealerships. "It’s upside down from what the traditional distribution process looked like,” Sandler said. "I think it’s exciting.”
In a statement, the Black Oak group said it would form a new Saturn Distribution Co. that would keep a vehicle design function but will not manufacture vehicles.
Designers would help other automakers tailor their products to Saturn’s style and customer needs and be sold in most cases under the Saturn brand, the statement said.
by the associated press
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)