Hearings into OG&E rate hike request underway

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Corporation Commission began deliberations Monday on a proposed rate hike by Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company, the state's largest utility.<br/><br/>OG&E has asked

Monday, November 7th 2005, 5:20 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Corporation Commission began deliberations Monday on a proposed rate hike by Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company, the state's largest utility.

OG&E has asked for an $89-million annual rate increase. Under the plan, residential consumer bills would jump about $3 a month.

But the attorney general's office has recommended a rate cut of $24.5-million. Industrial consumers want a reduction of $31-million.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission's staff has suggested a rate increase of $13-million.

A commission referee has endorsed a plan that would more evenly distribute the rate increase. Officials say it represents an annual hike of about $41-million.