A year after opening an inquiry into development of energy storage in Oklahoma, the staff at the Corporation Commission wants to close any more input from consumer and utility groups.
In a recent notification, Brandy Wreath, head of the Public Utilities Division informed those who had participated in the inquiry over the past year that the official Notice of Inquiry into the topic was being closed during a hearing on Thursday, Oct. 21. It was officially opened in August 2020.
However, at least one organization, the Alliance For Electrical Restructuring In Oklahoma is asking to be allowed to offer more input on the subject. Diana Hall, a Parker, Colorado attorney representing AERO filed a motion to have the issue of Electrical Restructuring extended past Oct. 21 and to reconvene working group meetings.
She complained of technical issues during some of the virtual meetings saying her organization’s presentations “were interrupted or cut short when linkages from Apple/Mac computer equipment to OCC computer equipment failed and when cell phone connections dropped.”
She explained the issues were resolved when the Commission went to zoom meetings. Hall also said some of the interested parties she represents had intended to make presentations at the Thursday hearing.
The original intent of the Notice of Inquiry into the energy storage, according to OCC documents was ” to identify and
examine issues regarding maximizing available or developing resources in Oklahoma, including battery storage, renewable natural gas and related infrastructure, increased bill information,
statewide utility rate transparency and reporting, utility related eminent domain best practices, electric and Compressed Natural Gas (“CNG”) vehicles, and findings and key recommendations
resulting from the Oklahoma Academy 2019 Town Hall “Oklahoma Energy: Optimizing Our Resources for the Future.” ”
Among the proposed topics was battery storage and questions focused on types of regulations that Oklahoma might have to be a competitive state with respect to energy storage projects, what will the role of the legislature be, geographic locations for this type of industry, benefits or drawbacks of such projects and a realistic timeframe for development of significant battery storage.
Renewable natural gas was another topic with a focus on biogas-derived methane gas. The commission sought comments about support of renewable natural gas mandates, technological barriers and again, involvement of the legislature.
Increased Bill information, statewide utility rate transparency and reporting, eminent domain and consumer protections, and electric and CNG vehicles were other topics included as part of the notice of inquiry.