News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Jim Palmer, Director of Information

October 26, 2000

(OKLAHOMA CITY) – Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Ed Apple said he feels compelled as a commissioner to continue to warn Oklahomans that high energy costs are going to be for real this winter for both natural gas and most electricity. Commissioner Apple emphasizes that there is nothing anyone can do in the short term to change the trend in high energy costs.

The Commission and utilities serving Oklahomans have issued public statements since this summer about the rising costs of natural gas and electricity. ONG has projected increases of 50-60 % for its customers. Other companies have estimated increases ranging from 20% to 75%.

Apple said "these problems, which require long term solutions, are beyond our present control. That is why it is so important for consumers to act now to keep their costs as low as possible through the use of conservation measures and precautionary planning."

"The Corporation Commission is doing all it can to inform users of the impact of higher energy costs," said Apple. The Commissioner insists "it is now up to the consumers, businesses, individuals, schools and public facilities to be prepared for the budgetary impact of higher energy costs and to conserve where possible." He called on families, businesses, school boards, universities and government agencies to plan their actions.

Meanwhile, Apple said consumers should be aware that the new, detailed break-out of items on their monthly gas bills are not new charges but are the same charges they have always had, individually identified for explanation purposes. These charges have not been increased.

The Commissioner said it’s also important for all consumers to know that the increase in the bills will be only for the cost of fuel. Utilities pass through the cost of their fuel and are not permitted to make a profit on that cost.

Consumers having difficulty paying should act before their bill is due by contacting their utility and working with that utility.