News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Jim Palmer, Director of Information

November 18, 1999

COMMISSION APPROVES 3.6 MILLION DOLLAR REFUND FOR G-T-E CUSTOMERS IN OKLAHOMA.

(OKLAHOMA CITY)—The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has approved a joint stipulation which features a $30 refund next spring to the users of each of GTE Southwest’s (GTE-SW) approximately 120,000 retail access lines in Oklahoma. The agreement resolves the application by Commission staff to review the rates and charges of GTE-SW.

Customers will receive a bill message in February 2000 announcing the no less than $3.6 million refund. The $30 checks will be mailed in the April 2000 billing to retail residential and business customers in good standing as of March 31, 2000. Additional specifics will be provided in writing as bill stuffers.

The stipulated agreement also calls for GTE-SW to discontinue the $1.86 per month network modernization surcharge when it has recovered $14.680 million. Adding to customer savings, GTE-SW will forego recovery of its additional investment of about $7.3 million in the modernization.

"This $11 million savings to GTE ratepayers is another example of the benefits achieved by allowing the Commission to work with big utility companies to benefit the citizens of Oklahoma, rather than seeking political answers that benefit only select groups," Commission Chairman Bob Anthony explained. "It comes on the heels of a $5 million credit to residential customers of Oklahoma Natural Gas Co., appearing as a $7.11 per customer reduction on last month’s bill. Our staff is currently working with ONG, Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co., Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. and other utilities to provide further benefits to Oklahoma ratepayers," Anthony said.

"As we move into the newly restructured telecommunications market, it remains important for our staff to ensure that ratepayers fully share in the benefits of that new market," Commissioner Denise Bode said. "The $30 refund per access line represents the kind of return ratepayers deserve."

Commissioner Ed Apple said he is pleased with the agreement especially in light of the planned buy-out of GTE in Oklahoma by d-b-a Communications.