The Osage County District Judge assigned the “price fixing” lawsuit filed by Attorney General Gentner Drummond against a natural gas provider over historic high prices during the 2021 Winter Storm Uri heard arguments this week to dismiss the case.
Judge Stuart Tate heard oral arguments Tuesday and took the matter under advisement.
His notes were filed in the case, stating “THIS MATTER COMES ON FOR MTN. TO DISMISS. THE COURT FINDS AND ORDERS ARGUMENT OF COUNSEL HEARD. COURT TAKES MATTER UNDER ADVISEMENT AND REQUEST PROPOSED FINDING BE SUBMITTED BY NOVEMBER 8, 2024. WRITTEN RULING TO ISSUE THEREAFTER.’
It means he anticipates a written ruling this year. The Attorney General filed suit in April and accused the company of a breach of contract and manipulation of natural gas prices during the winter storm. Prices soared to the highest level ever recorded in the nation during the storm and prompted an investigation that led to Gentner Drummond’s filing in Osage County District Court.
His suit claims the natural gas provider breached its contract with the Grand River Dam Authority, the reason the suit was filed in the district court in question.
ET Gathering denies it manipulated the markets and made the claim in a filing.
“All this is ccontrary to the undisputed Coproration Commission and Oklahoma Supreme Court findings, and the State’s own prior acquiescence to them, which is that the devastating impact of Winter Storm Uri on Oklahoma’s energy infrastructure and the acute need for heating—basic supply and demand—caused the spike in prices.”
Click below to view ET Gathering response
file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/CJ-2024-00077_1083108982%20(1).pdf