This Is Huge -- Breaking Now -- January 23, 2025

Locator: 44755TRUMP.

Link here.

From the linked article:

The memo, signed Thursday night by the acting head of the Homeland Security Department, offers ICE officers a road map on how to use expansive powers that were long reserved only for encounters at the southern border to quickly remove migrants. It also appears to give the officers the ability to expel migrants in two major Biden-era programs that have allowed more than a million people to enter the country temporarily.

Those programs — an app called CBP One that migrants could use to try to schedule appointments to enter the United States, and an initiative that let in certain migrants fleeing Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti — were key pillars of the Biden administration’s efforts to discourage illegal entries by allowing certain legal pathways. Immigrant advocates also worried that the memo could apply to Afghan and Ukrainian immigrants brought to the United States under separate programs.

The decision indicates that President Trump will try to use every facet of the immigration enforcement apparatus to crack down on a system he has long said has been abused, and that he intends to target not just those who sneaked across the border but even those who followed previously authorized pathways to enter.

This raises so many questions. 

$4 Billion Project -- Proposed 1,400 MW Generation Facility To Be Built Near Epping, ND -- Northeast Of Williston -- January 23, 2025

Locator: 44754B.

$4 billion -- with a "B" -- project for Epping, ND. 

Epping, ND:

• at the time of the 2020 census: Epping had a population of 84;
• in 2023, Epping had a population of 79
• the project will employ as many as 1,000 workers / builders
• once the project is complete, it will require 50 full-time employees
• assuming half are married, the population of Epping may increase by 75 adults, or in effect, doubling the population of Epping

Link here.

From the developer's webpage:

What is the average size of a power generation facility in the US:

Almost 50% bigger than the average nuclear power generating facility in the US.

Map:

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From Geoff Simon
Top North Dakota Stories For The Week

 

"Kuwait On The Prairie":

It would be interesting to know how many millionaires the Bakken has made compared to the number of millionaires farming in North Dakota has made since 1951.

For The Archives -- GDP -- January 23, 2025

Locator: 44753GDP.

Tag: EU GDP

Link here.

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Creepiest, Cringe-Worthy Commercial

Link here. 

This is probably the commercial that shows up most on my YouTube mix. 

Truly cringe-worthy. Four adults watching a female toddler using the adult toilet. Granted, two of the "adults" are "urine" and "poop" emojis, but adults nonetheless. More could be said but this is a family blog.

Maybe it's just me. It's not quite as "bad" as the "enjoy the go" commercials, but still ... 

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The Fine Arts Page

Link here.

We were very, very fortunate to have seen this exhibition. This was a big deal.

For me, the set of tapestries connects a couple of dots for me: specifically Shakespeare, Sir Henry Neville, and Two Gentlemen of Verona. 

Tag: Pavia tapestries. 

Links to the book referenced at this post.

Update On The X-59 QueSST -- January 23, 2025

Locator: 44752SST.

Has the X-59 been released to the USAF yet.

Link here. 

Thursday -- January 23, 2025

Locator: 44751B.

Feels like a religion. Link here.

Batteries: I simply don't get it. 

How long have "we" been manufacturing batteries for automobiles? How long have "we" been "pushing" EVs which are essentially nothing but big batteries and a lot of software? And now today, Ford is recalling more than 200,000 vehicles due to defects in the 12-volt batteries. Ford says the batteries are made by a supplier; not by Ford itself. It certainly sounds like Ford must have gone to the "lost-cost bidder." I simply don't get it. Quality if #1. And they can't even get 12-volt batteries right.  Oh, the answer to that battery question: the Ford Model A had a 6-volt battery.

And we move on.

Inflation watch: yes, I know eggs are expensive, or better said, folks and the press are telling us that eggs are expensive. 

Today, at Walmart, a dozen large eggs were selling for $4.17; a dozen extra large eggs, for $4.67. Are eggs expensive or have Americans simply had an incredibly good bargain all these years? This morning, for breakfast, I had one egg and a half-ounce of Spam mixed with the egg. Yes, a half-ounce; that's all I need and a couple of slices of toast and a damn good cup of coffee (a nod to David Lynch). The Keurig K-cup cost 57 cents. The egg: 4.67 / 12 = 39 cents. A typical candy bar costs $1.50 (range: $1.00 to $2.00 for the "typical" American candy bar). So, eggs? Historically much higher prices now, but "high-priced"? I honestly don't know.

I know a new Cybertruck can cost about $100,000. Americans have it pretty good in the big scheme of things.

JFK, RFK, MLK: for the archives. 

President Trump orders all government records on these assassinations be opened, released, unclassified or something to that effect.

RFK, Jr., says he's fine with that executive order. One has to ask: what is the government still trying to hide -- 2025 - 1963 = 62 years after the earliest? 

Twenty-year-olds involved in the assassinations and investigations of the assassinations would be in their 80s. Many of them might still be alive and able to comment on the government records. The release won't be overnight. Those in charge of the records have to prepare a plan on how to release the documents and have the plan approved by the president.

Be sure to read the disclaimer for this blog.

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Back to the Bakken

WTI: $74.29.

Active rigs: 30.

No new oil and gas permits today.

One permit canceled:

• 29615, PNC, Slawson, Rebel Federal 2-32-8H, Mountrail;

Two producing wells (DUCs) reported as completed:

• 39489, 895, Petro-Hunt, State 153-95-17B-16-3H,
• 40774, 4,059, MRO, Vettleson 11-26H, Dunn County.

Thursday -- January 23, 2025

Locator: 44750B.

At the close:

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Back to the Bakken

Locator: 447483B.

WTI: $75.66.

New wells:

• Friday, January 24, 2025: 39 for the month, 39 for the quarter, 39 for the year, 
• 4487, conf, Grayson Mill, Wahus 12-1 1H,
• Thurssday, January 23, 2025: 38 for the month, 38 for the quarter, 38 for the year, 
• None.

RBN Energy: lower interest rates could help sector finances but unlikely to boost output, spending. 

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates three times last year, brightening the prospects for continued economic growth and increases in energy demand, and additional rate cuts could be coming in 2025. But what do lower borrowing costs really mean for E&Ps, midstream companies, refiners and others in the energy industry? In today’s RBN blog, we will examine the impact of lower interest rates on energy companies and whether they might affect plans to boost output and build new infrastructure.