Oklahoma,

Happy Friday! My team and I are making the most of this August work period, traveling around the state and meeting with community leaders, job creators, and families. Check out a few of our most recent stops below. If this email was forwarded to you, you may subscribe to my weekly e-newsletter HERE. 

For over 30 years, Burns Propane has been installing tanks, refilling cylinders, and meeting residential and commercial propane needs across Oklahoma. Thanks to father-daughter duo Bill and Courtney Burns for hosting us in Oologah for an important conversation about supporting U.S. domestic energy production.

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The Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education is responsible for overseeing Oklahoma’s state colleges and universities and constituent agencies and providing educational leadership within the state system.

I visited with Chancellor Allison D. Garrett and Dr. Jarrett Jobe to discuss how Oklahoma’s post secondary education is adapting to meet workforce needs, especially in the growing aerospace industry. We also spoke about the importance of vocational training and our collective commitment to free speech for students and faculty.

As a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, I was especially interested to learn about the Chancellor’s Blueprint 2030 Plan to innovate and elevate Oklahoma’s education system for tomorrow’s workforce.

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Did you know that the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives (OAEC) serves more than 523,000 Oklahomans across all 77 counties? In the Senate, I’m committed to working with the OAEC to support reliable, affordable all-of-the-above energy solutions to heat our homes and power our economy.

It was great to sit down with OAEC CEO Chris Meyers and dozens of co-op members in Oklahoma City to discuss a proposed EPA power plant rule that threatens grid reliability, supply chain issues, and permitting reform.

Exciting news! USA Rare Earth has chosen Stillwater, Oklahoma to develop a new $100 million metal and magnet manufacturing facility. Like many companies, USA Rare Earth is taking advantage of Oklahoma’s unique business, labor, and operating environment to support our military and power electric vehicles, wind turbines, and smart phones.

Thanks to Steve Ridge, Head of Engineering and Technology, Bob Fredette, Director of Magnet Operations, Lisa Brownell, Environmental Health and Safety Manager, and Aaron Williams, Senior Process Engineer for taking the time to meet with us and tour phase one of facility construction.

I want to thank Oklahomans across the state who have taken the time to meet with me and my team and inform us about causes and projects close to their heart. It's been an incredible opportunity to meet with so many Oklahomans this work period, and I look forward to taking what we've learned back to Washington, D.C. this fall. Have a great weekend.