Oklahoma Natural Gas Co. is in the hunt for higher rates. The utility recently filed a request with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission for approval of what is called a Performance Based Rate change, one totaling $41,504,750 and would mean a few more dollars a month for ratepayers.
If approved, it would mean an increase of $3.24 more a month for residential customers and $1.03 more for a residential low-income customer, according to the filing with the regulatory agency. But the final increase would be decreased.
Cory Slaughter, Director of Rates and Regulatory for ONG testified the application of the Excess Deferred Income Tax credits would lower the rates.
“—after considering EDIT credits, the net monthly impact to the average residential customer will be an increase of $2.12 and $0.70 for a residential low income customer. As a percent of the total bill, this would be an impact of 2.99% higher for average residential customers and 1.77% higher for an average low-
income customer.”
ONG maintains it has “invested more than $272 million since its last base rate increase” on capital additions since the 2024 PBR and 91% related to installing, replacing and rebuilding vintage/aging pipeline infrastructure and relocations of infrastructure for government projects. Other work included new meter, service, line installations for new customers and CNG fueling infrastructure.
The utility further explained it had experienced a decline in new customers the three previous years because of a downturn in the housing market but things have reversed “driving the need for capital investment.” ONG went to state the largest expansion projects completed are for the Mustang area that is forecasted to see 10,000 homes built over a 10-year period plus new customers in the Greenhill area of north Tulsa, the Pryor Industrial Park, north Oklahoma City and the El Reno area.