PSO Plans To Make Rate Changes

By Dan Bewley, The News On 6

TULSA, OK - There is good news for PSO customers as a decrease on their bill is in the works.  PSO is dropping its rate for fuel, but it's happening at the same time PSO wants to raise what it charges to do business.       

PSO expects the average customer to see an 18% drop on their bill beginning this month.  The lower rate comes as the price of natural gas has dramatically dropped since this summer.  But, on Monday, PSO will be asking the Oklahoma Corporation Commission for a $132 million increase in what it charges for its basic operating costs.

"The cost of steel is more; the cost of every pole we buy is more than it was a couple of years ago. The cost of every span of wire that we buy is much more than it used to be a couple of years ago," said PSO's Stan Whiteford.

PSO says the actual impact on your bill will vary, but the utility expects residential customers to see around an 11% increase each month.  The money will be used to upgrade the transmission system, to help move power in a more efficient manner.

"The rates that we are allowed to charge don't cover our costs for those things and it's as simple as that," said PSO's Stan Whiteford.

Before the rates go into effect, PSO has to hold public hearings in front of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission in Oklahoma City.  Those hearings begin next Monday.

If you can't make it to the hearings you can call the Oklahoma Corporation Commission at 405-521-2211 or e-mail.

Or you may mail concerns to:

Jim Thorpe Building

Attn: Public Information

2101 N. Lincoln

Oklahoma City, OK 73105