304 Jim Thorpe Building

P.O. BOX 52000-2000 Telephone: (405) 521-2267

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA 73152-2000 FAX: (405) 521-4109

Denise Bode, Chairman

August 1, 2001

NEWS ADVISORY

COMMISSION STARTS REVIEW OF RULES ON UTILITY DISCONNECTS DURING HEAT WAVES

(Oklahoma City) – The Oklahoma Corporation Commission turns its attention Thursday to open discussion of electricity rules as they pertain to disconnection of residential service during hot weather.

Commission Chairman Denise Bode said “I want to address this highly sensitive and extremely important issue on an interim basis to prepare for even fuller discussions concerning how to assist in preventing possible threats to human lives by establishing rules based on both practical and scientific facts.”

The Commission will conduct deliberations with representatives of the electric utility companies following its 9:30 a.m. signing agenda in the main courtroom #301 of the Jim Thorpe Building in the Oklahoma City Capitol complex.

Commissioner Bode recently called for Ernest Johnson, Director of the Public Utility Division, to begin discussions with the major utilities concerning their views on the possibility of changing the disconnection-of-service rules during days with high temperatures and potentially life threatening conditions and to consider if new guidelines are needed.