News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Jim Palmer, Director of Information

December 29, 1999

(OKLAHOMA CITY)—Oklahoma Natural Gas Co. has asked the Corporation Commission for a hearing to block an administrative law judge’s (ALJ’s) ruling to hear deposed testimony from several former and current executives of ONG and its parent ONEOK, Inc. in connection with a 1993 Dynamic Energy Resources contract which requires ONG to pay above market costs for natural gas.

The motion for depositions for the ONG executives to be heard before the ALJ was filed Dec. 9 on behalf of ratepayers asking for relief from improper and excessive purchased gas costs they claim are contained in the 1993 Dynamic Energy contract. The ratepayer applicants requested depositions of Larry Brummett, David Kyle, Stephen Guy, J. D. Scott and John Gaberino, all former or present employees of ONEOK, Inc. or ONG.

The depositions motion was granted Dec. 23 by Commission Administrative Law Judge Connie Moore who stated in her decision that "This is an unusual case regarding contract negotiations and depositions would be more appropriate for discovery and speed up the process."

In filing its appeal to block the testimony of its various corporate executives, ONG requests oral arguments on the appeal before the Commission.

-occ