EDMOND —
What began as a $73 million rate hike request from Oklahoma Gas and Electric has ended with a settlement that contains no increase for residential customers.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission Monday unanimously approved the settlement, which lowers costs for OG&E customers in 9 of 11 customer classes, including residential customers, public schools and municipalities.
Oklahoma Corporation Commission Chairwoman Dana Murphy praised the work of OCC staff and others that resulted in the settlement agreement.
“This settlement represents a fair, just and reasonable resolution of a difficult case,” Murphy said. “It lowers OG&E’s return on equity, putting it in line with the state’s other regulated electric utilities. It also prevents residential rates from rising and brings other rates closer to the true cost of service.
“This is the result of a good faith effort to settle a case that has gone on for almost a year,” Murphy added. “While I am concerned over the length of time this case has taken and think there are lessons to be learned from that, all the parties to the case are owed thanks for their hard work that resulted in this successful conclusion.”
Corporation Commission Vice Chairman Bob Anthony said the settlement ensures safe and reliable service while addressing the concerns of consumers and other parties.
“The Corporation Commission is charged with balancing the needs of the company with the needs of its customers,” Anthony said.
“This settlement does that. For example, consumers have the right to switch rate plans annually to choose the plan most advantageous for them.”
“It also includes reports about the costs and benefits of new programs like Smart Grid, and additional rules will be added to better protect customer data and participants in OG&E’s prepay pilot program.”
Corporation Commissioner Patrice Douglas called the settlement “evidence of what can happen when people agree to work together.”
“This is a very fair agreement that holds the line on utility costs borne by families in these challenging economic times while also allowing the company to compete for the investment capital it needs,” Douglas said. “It balances all the interests the commission must take into consideration.
“I also want to thank the many members of the general public who took the time to make their voice heard, both in contacting the Commission and appearing at the public hearings on the case,” Douglas added. “Public involvement and input is critically important in these matters.”
Those supporting the settlement included the Attorney General (who represents consumers before the Commission), AARP-Oklahoma, the OCC Public Utility division staff, OG&E, the Oklahoma Industrial Energy Consumers, and the OG&E Shareholders Association.
Local News
Corporation Commission approves OG&E rate case settlement
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UPDATE: Tornado touches portions of Edmond
Roger Williams and his wife Shellie, residents in Edmond’s Thornbrooke neighborhood since 2004, were watching the weather reports Sunday as a large storm approached the city.
When they heard reports that a tornado was spotted near Broadway and 15th Street, then Broadway and 33rd Street, the couple and their son Ethan, 11, took cover in a reinforced interior closet. After they closed the door it got eerily quiet, like being in the eye of a hurricane, Roger said. As the tornado passed by, they could hear a few bangs outside.
“I was kind of scared,” Ethan said. -
SLIDESHOW: Tornado strikes I-35 area of Edmond
A violent tornado ripped trees out of the ground as it dropped into southern Edmond late Sunday afternoon along areas east and west of Interstate 35 from 15th Street to 33rd Street, according to various reports. Damage in Edmond is confirmed by the city and included blown out windows at the brand new Mercy I-35 facility that was scheduled to open later this year. Hail also peppered northwest Edmond during the violent storm event.
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The Big One
It’s a bleak scenario. A massive earthquake along the New Madrid fault kills or injures 60,000 people in Tennessee. A quarter of a million people are homeless.
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City plans to hire downtown consultant
Conceptual ideas about how the City of Edmond may plan for downtown development were shared this week by David Forrest with members of the business community.
The Central Edmond Urban Development Board has revisited plans made in a 1998 Downtown Master Plan through public meetings and presentations to protect the future development of Broadway. Recommendations by the group will be taken into account by future city councils. -
Feds recommend changing legal alcohol content levels
During the past 15 years alcohol contributed to a third of highway deaths prompting the government this week to recommend reducing state Blood Alcohol Content limits from .08 to .05 or lower.
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St. Mary’s Episcopal School names new Head of School
Pamela Dockter will become the new Head of School at St. Mary’s Episcopal School effective July 1.
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Local girl receives crown
Audrianna Page Fredericks recently was crowned Miss Junior Teen Oklahoma United States 2013.
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‘Locker Hooking’ workshop offers instruction in durable, useful crafting technique
Residents who would like to learn how to use the “locker hooking” technique to make one-of-a-kind items for use in the home or for decoration are invited to attend the “Locker Hooking” Workshop Tuesday from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Service.
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‘Healthy Cooking With Spices and Herbs’ focus of OSU Extension workshop
As Americans try harder to improve their diets by decreasing fat and sugar, the challenge to make dishes tasty as well as healthy becomes that much more important.
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5-18 Calendar
The Edmond Senior Center, 2733 Marilyn Williams Drive, is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. F or information about Edmond senior programs, stop by and pick up a monthly calendar, check out the Web site at edmondseniorcenter.com or call 216-7600.
Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. and reservations are needed a day in advance by 11 a.m. For lunch reservations, call at 330-6293 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - More Local News Headlines
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