Some consumers are starting to make their voices known in opposition to the rate hike sought by Oklahoma Gas and Electric, one that would jump residential rates by nearly 10%.
A Muldrow resident, Jimmy W. Jones went so far as to file his protest with the Oklahoma Supreme Court arguing that the proposed rate increase would “provide economic hardships for our families, neighbors and community in general.’
In a March 7 letter that was filed April 11 with the Supreme Court, Jones said increases with inflation on shipped goods, grocery price increases and fuel charges being increased “almost daily have made finances for lower income and working class families harder and harder by the month.”
He contends that OG&E has not shown nor indicated how any increase in service efficiency would help customers offset the requested increase in rate.
At least two consumers wrote their protests on file with the Corporation Commission.
“Over the past four quarters, OG&E has earned more than $473 million in profits and passed on hundreds of millions of dollars in mistakes to us, the customers,” wrote Dorothy Baker of Oklahoma City. “They are now asking us to line their pockets once again. I don’t think so.”
She said many Oklahomans cannot afford another rate hike and need their rates lowered.
“Standing by and allowing OG&E to continue to make such massive profits while so many Oklahomans struggle to just get by is just not right,” she added. “Commissioners, now is not the time to increase OG&E’s profits even more.”
Another consumer was also critical of the utility’s $163.5 million rate hike request. Erma Baker, also of Oklahoma City told commissioners she couldn’t believe OG&E was asking for the rate hike and that consumers should not have to pay for the utility’s lack of planting.
She said OG&E wasn’t prepared for the Oct. 21, 2020 ice storm nor for the February 2021 storm.
“It is not the consumers fault that OG&E was not prepared for either ice storm—-we the consumer, should not have to pay for their lack of business sense!”
OG&E filed the request last fall and its request will be considered May 26 before an Administration Law Judge.
