Oklahoma regulators are moving ahead with a study into possible nuclear development in the state but they expressed their doubts and criticism during a Thursday meeting at the State Capitol.
All three Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners expressed some dismay that the study required by SB130, a bill passed by the legislature and signed into law June 9 by Gov. Kevin Stitt, did not include any additional funding for the cost of hiring a consultant.
After Public Utilities Division Director Mark Argenbright explained how his division was relying on volunteers from the Hamm Energy group and declared, “It’s gonna be challenging,” the commissioners agreed the lack of funding from the legislature would be costly to the agency. It not only was required by the law to carry out the study but to do so with no additional funding for the hiring of a consultant as required in the law. The commissioners also pointed out they are expected to dig into the agency’s budget which already was cut by the legislature.
“The language in the law states ‘shall employ’,” said Argenbright, “and we’re not sure how to address it.”
“I don’t know if the legislature thinks we’re over here twiddling our thumbs when we issue 10,000 to 12,000 orders a year. We’ll have to drop a lot of things to do this,” complained Commissioner Todd Hiett.
“I disagree,” responded Commissioner Brian Bingman. “I don’t think the legislature is serious about it. It’s not funded—they didn’t give us any money and I hate to see the staff spend a lot of time on it. Let’s not spend any money. Our budget’s been cut.”
Commission Chair Kim David, who arrived in Oklahoma City at midnight after touring the Palo Verde nuclear power plant in Arizona, offered a plan.
“I do not want to use PUD money. The legislature should have given us money and I don’t want ratepayers to pay for it,” she commented before suggesting the commission ask for a supplemental appropriation of $125,000.
Commissioner Hiett continued his complaint against the legislature, saying a request for $125,000 would “send a message to the legislature.”
“They must think we have a big slush fund over here. But this is an assessment on ratepayers—it really goes against my grain.”
Commissioners David and Hiett voted to ask for the supplemental appropriation but Commissioner Bingman voted not.
The House author of SB130, Rep. Brad Boles explained there were companion bills calling for the study and he had funding included in the House version. But Boles told OK Energy Today the legislature had “other priorities” and “the budget didn’t work out for us” and he withdrew the funding after discussing it with some Corporation Commission leaders.
“They said to go ahead and run it. I’m aware and sensitive to them but they were good with us,” he said.
