Oklahoma Corporation Commission Approves Rate Hike For PSO Customers

PSO customers will soon pay more for electricity after the Oklahoma Corporation Commission approved a rate hike on Tuesday.

The average Public Service Company of Oklahoma residential customers will see their bills increase by about five dollars a month.

PSO Spokesman Wayne Greene says the rate hike is more about covering the cost of past projects.

"That’s the way the process works. We invested in the system and the corporation commission audits what we spent the money on, makes sure that it was prudent, and then rules whether or not we get to recover that," he said.

The approval means PSO will recover what it spent on things like new power lines - technology that keeps grid blackouts to a minimum - and big green-energy projects.

A key phrase here is how the Corporation Commission words its approval - saying the proposed rates were fair, equitable, and just.

Greene says even with the increase PSO rates will stay competitive - but he understands why some will be frustrated by an increase in cost.

"We understand that any time you talk about a higher cost of living, even a very modest one like this, that hurts consumers," Greene said.

He says PSO has sections on its website where customers can find out ways to reduce the cost of their bill to lighten the financial load.