Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners will meet Wednesday to consider an OGE rate hike withdrawal request stemming from a new law the regulators did not support in the most recent legislative session.
SB998, which became law without the signature of Gov. Kevin Stitt, prompted Oklahoma Gas and Electric to withdraw its original request for a change in its rates and charges of customers.
Two days after the governor’s lack of action, OGE attorneys filed a withdrawal request.
“ With the passage of SB 998, which will become effective ninety (90) days following the end of the current Oklahoma legislative session, OG&E believes that a delay in the timing of the rate case proceeding is appropriate. Moreover, a delay in the rate case also would be appropriate given OG&E’s May 19, 2025 preapproval application under 17 O.S. § 286(C) and the Company’s sensitivity to the Commission’s current workload.”
The utility originally indicated in its rate hike filing that the modification in rates and charges would “allow OG&E to improve reliability and ensure a reliable electric grid for Oklahoma customers.”
The measure faced opposition from Corporation Commissioners because it allows utilities to use a work in progress method to charge ratepayers while projects are under construction. The three regulators had reportedly considered filing an appeal with the State Supreme Court but did not do so.
Commission Chairwoman Kim David expressed her displeasure at the time of the governor’s inaction.
“I’m very disappointed that the Governor chose not to veto SB998. The question of whether a utility should be allowed to implement an immediate rate increase for new power generation should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis—not granted as a blanket policy.”
She said the CWIP ability went against 100 years of ratemaking principles and usurped the constitutional duty of the Corporation Commission.
Commissioner Todd Hiett also expressed dismay over the measure becoming law.
“This radical approach shifts the burden from shareholders to customers to fund capital investment and allows for a utility to profit from this investment before it produces electricity.”
Commissioner Brian Bingman admitted he was surprised the governor didn’t veto the bill.
“People only have a handful of dollars to spend and if they’re paying for service they won’t receive for years, maybe they’d rather use that money to pay off a high-interest credit card instead.”
Below is the agenda for the 1:30 p.m. meeting.
A. Call to order
B. Announcement concerning public notice
C. Determination of quorum
II. Recognition of Employee Service
III. Approval of minutes of prior meeting(s)
IV. Consideration of and possible vote(s) on proposed or potential orders in cases on the daily signing agenda docket. The Commission may discuss and consider alterations, revisions, or amendments to the proposed or potential orders. (Votes may be taken on individual cases, on the daily signing agenda docket as a whole, or both by individual cases and the remaining docket. The vote on daily signing agenda cases may be combined with the vote on 24-hour signing agenda cases.)
V. Consideration of and possible vote(s) on proposed or potential orders in cases on attached 24-hour signing agenda docket. The Commission may discuss and consider alterations, revisions, or amendments to the proposed or potential orders. (Votes may
be taken on individual cases on the 24-hour signing agenda docket as a whole, or both by individual cases and the remaining docket.)
VI. Case No. PUD2025-000037, In the Matter of the Application of Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company for an Order of the Commission Authorizing Applicant to Modify its Rates, Charges, and Tariffs for Retail Electric Service in Oklahoma: Discussion of and possible vote(s) on a proposed Order Dismissing Case, and/or any alterations, revisions, or amendments thereto proposed at the meeting
VII. Presentation for discussion and public comment of the Draft 2025 Integrated Resource Plan of Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company
VIII. New business
A. Any matter not known about and which could not have been reasonably foreseen 24 hours before the meeting
B. Possible vote(s) on matters of new business
IX. Adjournment
