The looming growth of anticipated rate cases combined with a staff shortage at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s Public Utilities Division has at least one regulator concerned.
“It’s very concerning to me,” remarked Commissioner Todd Hiett during a Wednesday afternoon meeting, as he referred to a shortage of at least four employees in the Public Utilities Division.
PUD Director Mark Argenbright explained the shortage during a presentation before the three Commissioners.
He’s also experiencing a shortage of two other employees, making a total of six under his administrative ccontrol. Argenbright is also head of the Consumer Services of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and the OUSF Administrator.
What concerns Hiett is “at least one of those cases has requested, potentially a 180 day schedule” which would be part of a new state law based on SB998. The new law shortens the schedule for the Corporation Commission from 240 days to 180.
Adding to his concern is the decision by Public Service Company to possibly file a pre-approval case this week.
“That’s eight,” said Hiett, “and you said we had three rate cases to be filed around the first of the year, that’s 11 cases all turning at the same time—I would say we better buckle up for 2026—that is going to be a lot of action.”
Argenbright’s response was, “we’ll be beating the bushes,” in hopes of finding employee replacements.