Might as well have a thread dedicated to this even though it hasn’t been decided I’m remaining positive it’ll come to the Tulsa area.

From Yahoo Business News:


TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Panasonic Corp is looking to purchase land in the United States for a mega-factory to make a new type of electric vehicle (EV) battery for Tesla Inc, public broadcaster NHK reported on Friday.

Panasonic is looking at building the factory, to cost several billion dollars, in either Oklahoma or Kansas close to Texas, where Tesla is preparing a new EV plant, NHK reported. NHK gave no timeline for Panasonic's U.S. project.

- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/panasonic-planning-massive-battery-plant-232223340.html

TW linking this article:


A Japan public broadcaster is reporting that electronics company Panasonic wants to buy land in Kansas or Oklahoma to construct a multibillion-dollar factory to supply Tesla with lithium-ion batteries.

- https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-and-regional/japanese-report-panasonic-wants-to-build-electric-vehicle-battery-plant-in-kansas-or-oklahoma/article_fbd4e0d2-9bd8-11ec-bd6a-53fa372648c9.html

If they want to have this factory close to Tesla then Oklahoma should have this with a slam dunk unless Kansas is offering stupid incentives. Oklahoma would be wise to start planning an I-45 extension to Tulsa and make that a promise in its discussions with Panasonic.

Might as well have a thread dedicated to this even though it hasn’t been decided I’m remaining positive it’ll come to the Tulsa area.

From Yahoo Business News:



- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/panasonic-planning-massive-battery-plant-232223340.html

TW linking this article:



- https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-and-regional/japanese-report-panasonic-wants-to-build-electric-vehicle-battery-plant-in-kansas-or-oklahoma/article_fbd4e0d2-9bd8-11ec-bd6a-53fa372648c9.html

If they want to have this factory close to Tesla then Oklahoma should have this with a slam dunk unless Kansas is offering stupid incentives. Oklahoma would be wise to start planning an I-45 extension to Tulsa and make that a promise in its discussions with Panasonic.

You mean work with Texas to plan that Extension, since it ends in Dallas? It's an almost equal amount to expand in Texas and in Oklahoma. I agree, but that would be an asinine amount of money to promise to spend.

You mean work with Texas to plan that Extension, since it ends in Dallas? It's an almost equal amount to expand in Texas and in Oklahoma. I agree, but that would be an asinine amount of money to promise to spend.
Texas is mostly up to date on interstate quality so all they would really need to do is slap an interstate shield on there. Oklahoma has some segments it could probably just designate but several others that need massive upgrades.

https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article258307028.html

@jc cougar linked to this story a couple weeks ago in another thread. I am inept about posting and linking. I hope it will work when clicked.

It provides good info about the Kansas side of the effort. Plus some insight about the Oklahoma part.

TLO rumor so take it how you will but they’re saying reports are Oklahoma has been chosen for the plant. Amazing news if so and props to Tulsa! Tulsa better brace itself to become a major boomtown or it’ll soon start seeing severe traffic congestion.

https://twitter.com/thelostogle/status/1514732135613087753?s=21&t=FTdxF-z3prmVtAjRmD03OA

TLO rumor so take it how you will but they’re saying reports are Oklahoma has been chosen for the plant. Amazing news if so and props to Tulsa! Tulsa better brace itself to become a major boomtown or it’ll soon start seeing severe traffic congestion.

https://twitter.com/thelostogle/status/1514732135613087753?s=21&t=FTdxF-z3prmVtAjRmD03OA

it would be in pryor right? like google and Canoo

it would be in pryor right? like google and Canoo
Yes, at Mid-America if it chooses Oklahoma.

it would be in pryor right? like google and Canoo
I believe so. Lots of growth and new freeways will be needed. Very exciting stuff if it happens.

I believe so. Lots of growth and new freeways will be needed. Very exciting stuff if it happens.

pretty decent highway access to prior as it is. 412 and 69 are both divided 4 lane highways. I think 20 is as well.

Stitt holding a press conference at 1 today to announce a "major economic development opportunity". Hmm

Press conference live now:
https://youtu.be/m7Xs8fWw0PQ

Ok, so seems like they are still in negotiation. Not sure if its Panasonic though. Nothing announced today, he is asking for passage of legislation for incentives to land said company.

Yeah that was a whole lot of nothing lol not sure why this justified a press release I guess to drum up excitement.

According to Stitt Oklahoma is competing with 50 other states which is more than just Kansas.

Delete

^^ yes

According to Stitt he wants the financial incentive package passed this week as the company wants to get this thing going. He also states he is looking into ways to create more Mid America type industrial parks in north, south, and west Oklahoma.

lol

lol
If he’s really trying to do that then great. It seems like every other week I read about some massive automotive plant or production factory announcing a huge project. The more options they have to locate around the state the better. Oklahoma has missed out on too much already.

Enid, Lawton, and Ardmore all need vast industrial parks.

Enid, Lawton, and Ardmore all need vast industrial parks.
Ardmore seems to be building up to having one around the airport thanks to the tribes.

Enid, Lawton, and even Woodward or Guymon would do well to get planning a nice industrial park. Those cities need some help.

Yeah that was a whole lot of nothing lol not sure why this justified a press release I guess to drum up excitement.

According to Stitt Oklahoma is competing with 50 other states which is more than just Kansas.

Edit: Now that I've watched it, it seems clear this was meant to be a direct message to legislators meeting this week to pass these financial incentives and not much else. He pretty much explicitly said so.

If he’s really trying to do that then great. It seems like every other week I read about some massive automotive plant or production factory announcing a huge project. The more options they have to locate around the state the better. Oklahoma has missed out on too much already.

Was "lol"ing at the lack of concrete announcement more than anything. Having more industrial park locations around the state would be great.

This plant being built in OK would be a game changer. I really hope it would be W of OKC,

Obviously the state has tons of cheap, open land. However, W OK is especially bleak. Imagine that entire landscape being factories, solar farms, [more] wind farms, and pumpjacks. Make Oklahoma the energy frontier.

Couldn't he have just met with the legislature directly and then announced the deal when it was done?

Sure would be neat if this and Canoo start a trend of Oklahoma embracing green technology to transition away from such an O&G-reliant economy. Between this and our latent wind and solar potential, with the right leadership that could be a real way forward for the state.

This plant being built in OK would be a game changer. I really hope it would be W of OKC,

Obviously the state has tons of cheap, open land. However, W OK is especially bleak. Imagine that entire landscape being factories, solar farms, [more] wind farms, and pumpjacks. Make Oklahoma the energy frontier.

I could be wrong but I bet they want rail access. I don't think the rail west of OKC is operational anymore.

I don't know much about this business but I think companies are looking for flat land, not much prep work, utilities already available, good highway access and rail access (in large cases like this).

Seems for El Reno, providing a few quarter sections along I-40 would be a good investment for the future of that suburb since there isn't a great deal of land meeting the above criteria elsewhere around OKC.

I thought the going theory was for them to get the land Tulsa was previously offering to Telsa?

The proposed legislation for this afternoon's Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget has finally been posted (<90 min before they meet). Summary: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2021-22%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/BILLSUM/House/HB4455%20FULLPCS1%20BILLSUM.PDF

If I'm understanding correctly, since this legislation is clearly written with said "mystery" company in mind, they're expecting over 4,000 new jobs with qualified capital expenditures in excess of $3.606 billion dollars and total capital expenditures of at least $4.5 billion.

With the Canoo and Mid-America Industrial Park folks at today's press conference I have to assume that is the site that is already under consideration.

So you're saying NOT Panasonic?

Couldn't he have just met with the legislature directly and then announced the deal when it was done?

Knowing how Tesla negotiates with legislatures, the incentive deal is probably astronomical, so much so that some lawmakers have already expressed opposition. Stitt likely wants to nail his re-election campaign with a Tesla-adjacent blockbuster deal for the state so he's making sure people know who to blame if it doesn't come through.

I thought the going theory was for them to get the land Tulsa was previously offering to Telsa?

No, the Panasonic site reportedly is next to the Canoo car factory site at Mid-America Park. Mid-America is south of Pryor and a few miles north of US-412. It has rail access and is about 15 miles from port access. There's actually a small port site on the Verdigris where US-412 crosses, five or six miles SW of the Tulsa Port of Catoosa.

The proposed Tesla site is south of US-412 near Inola and is very close to that small Verdigris port, just a couple of miles. About 10 miles west of Mid-America, closer to Tulsa itself.

No, the Panasonic site reportedly is next to the Canoo car factory site at Mid-America Park. Mid-America is south of Pryor and a few miles north of US-412. It has rail access and is about 15 miles from port access. There's actually a small port site on the Verdigris where US-412 crosses, five or six miles SW of the Tulsa Port of Catoosa.

The proposed Tesla site is south of US-412 near Inola and is very close to that small Verdigris port, just a couple of miles. About 10 miles west of Mid-America, closer to Tulsa itself.

The Tesla site was inside Tulsa city limits south of 412 and east of the Creek Turnpike on property owned by the Robson family. There is another large industrial site located closer to Inola on the Verdigris where there are plans to build a new river port called the Port of Inola. This is where the Black Fox nuclear power station was supposed to be built (next to Sofidel's paper plant).

I really wish the state would revisit the idea of building a nuke power plant in that area.

The Tesla site was inside Tulsa city limits south of 412 and east of the Creek Turnpike on property owned by the Robson family. There is another large industrial site located closer to Inola on the Verdigris where there are plans to build a new river port called the Port of Inola. This is where the Black Fox nuclear power station was supposed to be built (next to Sofidel's paper plant).

My mistake, I thought it was the Black Fox site. They are only a few miles apart.

I really wish the state would revisit the idea of building a nuke power plant in that area.

The state doesn't build power plants.

The state doesn't build power plants.
They should.

Couldn't he have just met with the legislature directly and then announced the deal when it was done?

Having a news conference moves the burden from him to legislators, in a very public manner.

CNHI News take on the proposed project:

Governor, lawmakers work to reel in ‘humongous’ economic development project - Governor, lawmakers work to reel in ‘humongous’ economic development project

I really wish the state would revisit the idea of building a nuke power plant in that area.

I wouldn't want it, unless more efficient and safer ways have been advanced to produce nuclear energy.

I wouldn't want it, unless more efficient and safer ways have been advanced to produce nuclear energy.

You're way behind the curve on this one. Modern nuclear power plants are nothing like those built decades ago. There is no logical excuse why the US shouldn't be building dozens, maybe many more, nuclear power plants. We're going to need a LOT more electrical generation if we want to have many millions of electric cars and especially if we want to electrify everything. The power isn't going to come from wind/solar.

You're way behind the curve on this one. Modern nuclear power plants are nothing like those built decades ago. There is no logical excuse why the US shouldn't be building dozens, maybe many more, nuclear power plants. We're going to need a LOT more electrical generation if we want to have many millions of electric cars and especially if we want to electrify everything. The power isn't going to come from wind/solar.

this is all correct

I could be wrong but I bet they want rail access. I don't think the rail west of OKC is operational anymore.

I don't know much about this business but I think companies are looking for flat land, not much prep work, utilities already available, good highway access and rail access (in large cases like this).

Seems for El Reno, providing a few quarter sections along I-40 would be a good investment for the future of that suburb since there isn't a great deal of land meeting the above criteria elsewhere around OKC.

The former Rock Island line that roughly parallels I-40 heading west out of town is actually active all the way to Erick, near the state line, though a small section between Bridgeport and Weatherford (about 15 miles) is out of service due to multiple washouts. Union Pacific operates the line from their yard just east of downtown west to El Reno, where the line intersects UP's main north-south corridor, and runs several trains a week.

You're way behind the curve on this one. Modern nuclear power plants are nothing like those built decades ago. There is no logical excuse why the US shouldn't be building dozens, maybe many more, nuclear power plants. We're going to need a LOT more electrical generation if we want to have many millions of electric cars and especially if we want to electrify everything. The power isn't going to come from wind/solar.

So, no wonder I wrote, "I wouldn't want it, unless more efficient and safer ways have been advanced to produce nuclear energy."

Rolls-Royce of UK said it can create modular mini Nuclear Reactors that could be transported on regular shipping trucks and assembled on site. Each one would be capable of powering 1 million homes each. Sounds quite efficient to me.
https://www.reuters.com/business/britain-start-approval-process-rolls-royce-mini-nuclear-reactor-2022-03-07/?taid=62262f8c18c5730001d4fb88&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

We are so close on fusion power, which would be largest advance since the internet, if not the wheel. Limitless clean power with water as the fuel. The Middle East would melt down from a lack of money.

Modern nuclear power plants are nothing like those built decades ago.

Have they figured out how to shorten the half life of the radioactive spent fuel?

Have they figured out how to shorten the half life of the radioactive spent fuel?

That, I don't know, but I've heard they can repurpose a lot of it

Have they figured out how to shorten the half life of the radioactive spent fuel?

That is a great point that proponents of nuke plants need to have an answer for when advocating for this source.

They should.
Why?

We are so close on fusion power, which would be largest advance since the internet, if not the wheel. Limitless clean power with water as the fuel. The Middle East would melt down from a lack of money.

^^^^^^^

100%!

We are so close on fusion power, which would be largest advance since the internet, if not the wheel. Limitless clean power with water as the fuel. The Middle East would melt down from a lack of money.

could have had clean energy for everyone but this dude suddenly died and his technology was stolen. Damn CIA and big oil

https://www.gaia.com/article/the-mysterious-death-of-stanley-meyer-and-his-water-powered-car

We are so close on fusion power, which would be largest advance since the internet, if not the wheel. Limitless clean power with water as the fuel. The Middle East would melt down from a lack of money.
What would be cool if OK could setup an experimental fusion reactor and work with TU to create a nuclear engineering program like the on they have at MIT in Boston. It would take about a decade and there’s no telling if fusion would become a reality by then. Set aside a site for another reactor if/when fusion becomes self sustaining and produces energy.

Why?
Because energy production shouldn’t be for profit. It should socially funded by tax payers and ran with ensuring people having power being a human right in mind not something for profit. The lowest income group shouldn’t have to pay for energy or water at all. That’s just my opinion of course.

Sooooo Tesla service centers: BAD!

Factory to produce batteries for said Teslas: A-OK.

Makes total sense.

^^^ one word

Lobbying

It’s because of the automobile dealers association and they’re claiming banning direct sales is for the people lol

Sooooo Tesla service centers: BAD!

Factory to produce batteries for said Teslas: A-OK.

Makes total sense.

Did I miss the uproar about Tesla Service Centers?

https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/watch-now-house-oks-up-to-698m-economic-incentive-package/article_58a78530-c000-11ec-9dbc-0f0042d50fc1.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

House OKs up to $698M economic incentive package

Did I miss the uproar about Tesla Service Centers?

https://electrek.co/2022/04/12/tesla-facing-second-assault-right-sell-service-cars-oklahoma/

The author of the bill has already stated the current service facilities won't have to be shut down. It just reinforces that, like many other states, Oklahoma won't allow direct sales. Hell, in Texas, they have that huge factory, and won't be able to buy them. It isn't just an Oklahoma issue.

I think it is dumb, but it isn't solely an Oklahoma problem. Connecticut has it worse than here, even.

The state doesn't build power plants.

True.

I believe PSO of Tulsa was the sole sponsor of the Black Fox Nuclear Power Plant near Inola, OK before the development was abandoned in 1982. The whole scenario of how that played showed glimpses of 'what was to come' of the Kerr McGee plutonium chaos behind the Karen Gay Silkwood saga in Crescent, OK.. Big money and power has always been a theme when addressing safety concerns of workers.

State Senate OK's $698M economic Incentive bill to lure large manufacturing plant to state - TulsaWorld

Should be complete on the incentive side... hopefully it's what they needed!

I read somewhere Kansas has over a billion in incentives. Would love to see a comparison. I also think the canoo facility would be priceless in all of this for Panasonic.