Consumer groups challenge OG&E financing request
Two consumer advocacy groups — Oklahoma Industrial Energy Consumers and AARP Oklahoma — are sharply criticizing OG&E over its latest effort to recover financing costs tied to the Horseshoe Lake power plant expansion.
The dispute centers on financing related to Horseshoe Lake Units 14 and 15, which are part of OG&E’s planned generation expansion in eastern Oklahoma County. OIEC and AARP argue the utility is repeatedly attempting to shift costs onto customers despite recent regulatory setbacks.
Commission previously rejected $100 million request
The criticism follows a recent decision by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which rejected OG&E’s request to recover $100 million in additional financing costs connected to the project.
Despite that ruling, OIEC and AARP contend OG&E quickly returned with another filing seeking similar recovery.
“If there is a Scrooge this holiday season it is OG&E,” said Sean Voskuhl, AARP Oklahoma’s state director.
“On the heels of OG&E’s $500 million pre-approval case, where the Oklahoma Corporation Commission rejected OG&E’s attempt to recover an additional $100 million in financing costs, they turned right around and are asking for it again,” Voskuhl said.
He added that OG&E “simply cannot take ‘No’ for an answer,” and urged regulators to reject the request.
Concerns over impact on families and ratepayers
OIEC and AARP argue the continued pursuit of financing recovery places an unfair burden on customers, particularly households already struggling with rising costs.
“Commissioners should reject this frivolous case and send OG&E a message that additional costs will not be passed on to customers for plants that have not even been built yet,” Voskuhl said. “Their last-minute holiday gift compounds the burden on families that are already forced to choose between food, medicine and keeping their lights on.”
Commission reaffirms decision amid dissent
The Corporation Commission held a second vote of reconsideration last week, ultimately reaffirming its approval on a 2–1 vote.
Commissioner Todd Hiett dissented again, maintaining his opposition to OG&E’s financing request after OIEC and AARP petitioned for reconsideration.
Hiett previously argued that ratepayers need greater protection as OG&E moves forward with large-scale capital investments.
Questions raised about bid selection
In his opposition, Hiett also criticized OG&E’s handling of bids tied to the Horseshoe Lake expansion.
“It was not the lowest cost alternative available,” Hiett said, referencing concerns that OG&E did not select the least expensive option for the project.
That argument mirrored objections raised by OIEC and AARP in their challenge to the original order authored by Commissioner Bingman, reinforcing claims that customers could face higher costs as a result of OG&E’s decisions.