Oklahoma Gas & Electric Pushes Rate Hike Request

"Regulators will need to develop and enforce standards and measurement tools to track and improve reliability and power quality, and will have to decide how to allocate among customer classes the costs for any needed improvements," William Steinhurst, senior consultant for Synapse Energy Economics of Cambridge, Ma., says on the NRRI Web site.

"Those years-long rate freezes lull the public into thinking rate stability is an entitlement," said the NRRI's Hempling. "Voters don't offer thanks for the prior windfall; they protest the new levels, loudly."

"The onus is on commissioners across the United States to make sure we look closely at these rate cases," said Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy, one of three commissioners who will decide the OG&E rate case. "I think there's a higher level of scrutiny in all cases."

The commission's staff has been researching the rate increase request since it was filed, and those involved in the case will exchange lists of what they consider to be the major issues on May 28. Public hearings, if needed, will begin July 22.

Murphy said OG&E can implement its proposed new rates after Aug. 26 even if the commission has not made a ruling, subject to refunds if the request is eventually denied.