So many utility rate hikes are hitting Oklahoma ratepayers, it’s like a game of whack-a-mole, Sean Voskuhl, AARP Oklahoma State Director, said during a Tuesday town hall meeting where hundreds of millions of dollars in new requests were discussed.
“They say it’s only $2 to $3 more a month but when you add these up like PSO year after year and OGE—it’s really difficult,” declared Voskuhl during the meeting. “A lot of people are struggling with their utility bills.”
The town hall focused on rate hikes requested by Public Service Company of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Gas and Electric, which if approved by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission would cost customers $344 million.
PSO made a $218 million rate hike request which, according to AARP attorney A-J Singer, is the fifth rate hike request in the past four years. It would cost residential customers another $16 a month or $190 more a year.
He explained the Corporation Commissioners are considering a settlement in OG&E’s original request of $332 million. The settlement, supported by other groups but opposed by AARP, would lower the request to $126 million. And if approved, it would mean another $9.58 a month for residential customers or about $115 more a year.
The growth of rate hike requests, including at least 7 by PSO over the past 10 years, was observed by Singer.
“It’s starting to feel like death by a thousand cuts,” as he commented about efforts to stop the utilities from forcing ratepayers to pay for lobbying costs and other expenditures.
“It shouldn’t be something customers are paying for.”
