Case Timeline Before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission
It could be March, 2026 perhaps before the preapproval request totaling $1.2 billion in new energy generation projects by Public Service Company of Oklahoma goes before Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners.
However, the official docket identifies the PSO “Generation Preapproval (includes CWIP)” matter under PUD 2025-000064, signaling a lengthy procedural path at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Welcome to Oklahoma’s Official Web Site+1
In the meantime, the paperwork is piling up as the utility’s lawyers and those representing the Corporation Commission, the State Attorney General and consumer groups prepare for the case to be heard.
Additionally, formal filings and exhibits are loading into the Oklahoma Corporation Commission ECF record as parties coordinate schedules and discovery. ecf.public.occ.ok.gov
Filing and Procedural Deadlines
The company filed the request in early September indicating there was a need for more electric generation for the customers it already serves and will serve under recent agreements.
Also, local reporting corroborates that Public Service Company of Oklahoma seeks preapproval exceeding $1.2 billion for electric generation projects with potential bill impacts. southwestledger.news+1
An approval calendar for the filing showed summaries of direct testimony faced an October 31 deadline.
Public comment at a commission meeting won’t be heard until February 12, 2026.
Meanwhile, docket schedules posted for PUD 2025-000064 reflect milestone dates consistent with testimony deadlines and planned public comment windows at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Welcome to Oklahoma’s Official Web Site
Administrative Judge and Proposed Orders
However, based on the long-list of deadlines as indicated in a filing and order by the commission, a hearing on the Merits before an Administrative Law judge won’t be held until February 17, 2026.
Additionally, the ALJ will have 30 days to present Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law to the commission, meaning the commission will not likely take a vote until late February or even March.
Therefore, counsel should track the PUD 2025-000064 ECF entries for the ALJ hearing notice and subsequent recommended order steps that govern Oklahoma Corporation Commission voting timelines. Welcome to Oklahoma’s Official Web Site+1
CWIP and Rate Implications
PSO asked for preapproval of Construction Work in Progress (CWIP) on several projects, which if given the green light by commissioners, would result in ratepayers seeing higher monthly bills while the projects are under construction.
Also, Oklahoma’s 2025 CWIP statute enables regulated utilities to seek cost recovery during construction; the bill became law without the Governor’s signature and took effect in late August.
The state’s CWIP law was approved last spring by the legislature and took effect at the end of August.
The bill became law without the signature of Gov. Kevin Stitt.
Therefore, consumer impacts will be evaluated within the Oklahoma Corporation Commission rate framework as statutory changes interact with utility proposals. oklahoman.com
Rate Impact Testimony
According to testimony summarized by Rebecca A. Schwarz, Director of Regulatory Pricing and Analysis for American Electric Power Service Corporation, PSO’s parent company, the average residential rate is project to increase by 9.59%.
However, additional local coverage of Ms. Schwarz’s testimony reports an alternate top-line estimate: $157.1 million total by 2029 equating to 8.54% in the average retail rate, illustrating how summaries can vary by outlet and filing version.
“When factoring in load growth projections and economic development forecasts, the total estimated average retail rate increase in 2029 is 6.22%. The average residential rate is expected to rise by 6.92%,” she stated in the summarized version of her original testimony.
Also in her original testimony, she offered specific impact in dollars.
““In 2029, once all facilities are operational, the projected impact reflects a net increase of $14.33 per month, representing a 9.59% increase in the total monthly bill. This estimate incorporates the combined effects of the selected facilities. When factoring in load growth estimates and economic development forecasts, the total estimated typical residential customer bill is projected to increase to $10.34 per month, representing a 6.92% increase.”
Therefore, for compliance-grade sourcing, reference the underlying Oklahoma Corporation Commission ECF testimony files in PUD 2025-000064, including filed testimony packages. public.occ.ok.gov
Project Types Under Review
PSO proposed several electric generation projects including an expansion of three wind Purchase Power Agreements and one Capacity Purchase Agreements.
It also wants to include three Battery Energy Storage System facilities.
Also, portfolio shaping with storage can temper peak-price volatility while construction-phase CWIP recovery aligns with capital pacing.
The utility also wants completion of its Northeastern Units 5&6 gas facility, which is at Oologah about 30 miles east of Tulsa.
Meanwhile, PSO’s public materials and related notices reference Northeastern gas plan elements and associated procurement timelines. psoklahoma.com
The summary also stated, “Ms. Schwarz testified the Company proposes to allocate ITC (Investment Tax Credit) benefits to customers over the service life of the applicable projects, rather than recognizing the full value in the first year, which serves two key objectives. First, spreading the federal tax incentives over the useful life of the ITC-eligible resources helps mitigate the rate impact on customers by avoiding a front-loaded benefit structure.”
Additionally, phased ITC allocation can complement rate increase mitigation strategies within Oklahoma Corporation Commission rate design.
Why It Matters for Oklahoma Energy Readers
These procedural steps at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission affect Oklahoma Energy planning horizons across generation, storage, and procurement.
Additionally, stakeholders should monitor Public Service Company of Oklahoma filings for updates on Purchase Power Agreements, Battery Energy Storage System deployments, and Northeastern Units 5&6 milestones as the docket advances.
