News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Matt Skinner, Public Information Officer

Phone: (405) 521-4180, FAX: (405) 522-1623, www.occ.state.ok.us

October 8, 2001

CORPORATION COMMISSIONERS TO DISCONNECTED RELIANT ENERGY ARKLA CUSTOMERS: ‘DON’T WAIT’

(Oklahoma City) The Oklahoma Corporation Commission is urging Reliant Arkla gas customers who have had their natural gas service disconnected to quickly get in touch with the utility and make whatever arrangements are necessary for reconnection.

“If too many people wait until the cold weather takes hold to arrange for reconnection, the system might be overwhelmed,” warned Commissioner Ed Apple. “Neither the Commission nor Reliant Energy Arkla want people waiting in the cold for days to get reconnected.”

“A Reliant Energy Arkla technician doesn’t just go to a home and turn on a valve,” pointed out Commission Chairman Denise Bode. “They must make a careful on-site inspection before restoring service. This takes time.

“Nor is it a matter of simply hiring more people to quickly meet demand. Service technicians have to undergo months of training to ensure the safety of the public when doing this kind of work.”

Commission Vice-Chair Bob Anthony says there are two factors that are of concern.

“One is the unusually high number of Reliant Energy Arkla customers expected to ask for reconnection from the past winter. Coupled with that is the length of time it takes to reconnect a customer’s natural gas service because of all the precautions that must be observed.”

Before technicians are dispatched, payment arrangements must be made. To arrange for payment and reestablishment of service, Reliant Energy Arkla customers should call 1-866-275-5265. If after contacting the utility there are still unresolved issues, customers are urged to contact the Commission’s Consumer Services Division toll free at 1-800-522-8154.

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All OCC news releases and advisories are available on the OCC web site

www.occ.state.ok.us