Residential customers using 1,100 kilowatt-hours a month will see bills increase by about $11 while the Oklahoma Corporation Commission considers a proposed settlement that would reduce the utility’s original rate request.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Public Service Company of Oklahoma customers will begin paying temporary higher electric rates Wednesday as the utility implements interim charges while its general rate case remains pending before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
For a typical residential customer using 1,100 kilowatt-hours of electricity each month, the interim rates are expected to increase monthly bills by about $11, according to the utility.
The temporary increase takes effect while regulators continue reviewing PSO’s request for a permanent rate adjustment. Under Oklahoma law, utilities may implement interim rates during certain pending rate cases before a final order is issued. If regulators ultimately approve a smaller increase than the interim amount, customers would receive refunds for the difference.
The interim increase is less than the amount PSO originally requested when it filed the rate case.
Last week, PSO, the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, the Public Utility Division and other parties filed a proposed settlement that would reduce the utility’s requested revenue increase. The agreement is under review by an administrative law judge and remains subject to approval by the three-member Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
The commission has not yet issued a final order in the case. Until it does, customers will pay the interim rates beginning with bills reflecting electricity used on or after July 1.
PSO said customers enrolled in its prepaid Power Pay program should monitor their account balances as the new rates take effect. The utility also said payment assistance programs, weatherization assistance and energy-efficiency rebates remain available for qualifying customers.
Related: Read our earlier coverage of the proposed settlement that would reduce PSO’s original rate request and is under review by an administrative law judge and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
