The U.S. Department of Energy is investing $250 million in the Three Corners Connector, a planned 300-mile high-voltage transmission line from near Guymon, Oklahoma, to Pueblo, Colorado.The project would connect the eastern and western U.S. electric grids, allowing electricity to move between the regions when and where it is needed. Federal officials say the connection could improve grid reliability, increase electricity transfer capacity, and help lower costs. The funding is part of a larger $5.25 billion federal initiative to strengthen the nation’s electrical grid.
Oklahoma lawmakers are studying grid-enhancing technologies to help the state meet rapidly growing electricity demand while improving reliability and controlling costs. Utilities discussed technologies that can increase the capacity of existing transmission lines and reduce congestion, although officials emphasized that these tools cannot always replace new or rebuilt transmission lines. The study also examined the economic, technical, and regulatory challenges involved in modernizing Oklahoma’s electric grid.
Oklahoma received $223 million in federal funding to improve rural health care, with Southwestern Oklahoma State University using part of the money to expand services in western Oklahoma. SWOSU is funding a mobile resource unit, expanding robotic-assisted surgery, and adding training technology for more than 900 health care students. These efforts could allow hundreds of procedures to be performed locally each year and reduce the long distances rural patients often travel for specialty care. The funding is part of a five-year program aimed at improving access to care and strengthening Oklahoma’s rural health care workforce.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond joined 25 other state attorneys general in urging Congress to establish federal safety standards for artificial intelligence. The coalition is calling for measures such as AI safety testing, performance benchmarks, government-led incident responses, and international cooperation. At the same time, the group wants states to retain the authority to enforce their own AI protections rather than having federal rules override state laws. Drummond argued that stronger safeguards are needed to address risks AI could pose to financial systems, critical infrastructure, national security, and the public.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Our policies have helped tremendously,” President Trump said regarding Oklahoma and nuclear at his Oklahoma rally. “You’re actually one of the leaders in nuclear ... you don’t think of Oklahoma for nuclear, but you’re one of the leaders.”
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