Oklahoma

Restructuring Overview  |  Restructuring Resources |  Consumer Protection

Legislation Passed
Electric Y (repealed) Gas N

1997, SB 500; Electric Restructuring Act of 1997

2001, SB 440; Establishes the Electric Restructuring Advisory Committee to make recommendations on retail choice by year-end 2002, and requires additional legislation to implement retail choice.

Electric
Overview

• Under Oklahoma's 1997 restructuring law, retail access was scheduled to begin July 1, 2002, pending passage of a more detailed restructuring implementation law. Higher energy prices in the region and broad public awareness of the California energy situation made passage of implementation legislation increasingly unlikely in 2001. A restructuring implementation bill failed in the 2000 legislature.
• In April 2001, the state legislature passed an emergency bill to delay restructuring until it could be studied further. The bill also required passage of enabling legislation to restart restructuring and established a study group to examine restructuring and the state's transmission infrastructure.

Choice Status

• The state has no unbundled service programs for residential customers. Oklahoma’s Electric Restructuring Advisory Committee approved its report to the governor and Legislature by a 6-3 vote January 3, 2002, reaffirming its earlier finding that any state transmission policy changes should await clarification of federal policies.

Natural Gas
Overview

• In July 2000, the Oklahoma Corporation approved a pilot program for Oklahoma Natural Gas Company that will allow residential customers the option of signing up for a fixed price for the upcoming 12 months. The pilot program is voluntary and on a first-come, first-served basis. It will be capped at a number equal to 10 percent of the ONG customer base, and no new signups will be accepted once that level of participation is reached.

Choice Status

• Due to time needed for start-up operations and customer notification, the pilot program will become available in the fall of 2002.

Choice education
www.restructureok.net
This state website posts updates on the work of the Electric Restructuring Advisory Committee.

Suppliers
www.occ.state.ok.us/TEXT_FILES/REGCOMPS.HTM

State Restructuring Resources

Utility Regulatory Commission
Oklahoma Corporation Commission
405-521-3951
www.occ.state.ok.us/

Consumer advocate
Oklahoma Attorney General
Public Utility Unit
918-581-2885
www.oag.state.ok.us

Consumer Protection

• A subgroup of the Territorial/Competitive working group was formed to address consumer protection and consumer education issues. The subgroup is recommending to the working group that a bill of rights be established setting forth those rights essential to electric consumers. As of November 2, 2001, the subgroup had not formalized its recommendations as to which protections would be incorporated into a bill of rights.