News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Jim Palmer, Director of Information

May 26, 1999

Concluding two days of public hearings, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) voted 2 to 1 in favor of a stipulated agreement worked out between the OCC’s public utilities staff and ONEOK, Incorporated and its subsidiaries of Oklahoma Natural Gas Company (ONG) and Kansas Gas Service Company (KGS).

The vote on a motion by Chairman Ed Apple resulted in a yes vote from both Apple and Commissioner Denise Bode while Commissioner Bob Anthony voted no.

The Agreement is highlighted by a $5 million interim rate reduction for Oklahoma customers of both ONG and KGS beginning with the first billing cycle in September, 1999.

Settlement terms also include new dates for ONG’s competitive bidding for gas supplies and transmission service beginning November 1, 1999 and November 1, 2000.

In addition to the rate reduction and competitive bidding starting this year, the stipulated agreement establishes a new timetable for the unbundling process. ONEOK also agrees to dismiss its Oklahoma Supreme Court appeal of the Commission’s unbundling orders and rules after new final orders are issued in the consolidated rate case next year.

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